by Martha Quetsch
Elburn’s Village President-elect Dave Anderson said Tuesday he asked the village’s four department heads—the police chief, administrator, public works director and community development director—to resign.
He said he will interview them starting next week with the possibility of re-hiring them.
“I just think that it’s proper, from a procedural and protocol standpoint, for a new administration,” Anderson said. “I want to make sure that appointed officials, myself and the Village Board, are on the same page. For the most part, I think we are.”
Village Attorney Robert Britz said the department heads do not have to resign until Anderson takes office Monday, May 4.
“They do not have an obligation to resign until (Anderson) is sworn in,” Britz said.
Britz said under Illinois law, village presidents appoint department heads annually for one-year positions, with the advice and consent of their village boards. He explained that the timing of the one-year period typically coincides with the fiscal year, which begins in May.
The village hired Police Chief Jim Linane in 2001, Village Administrator David Morrison in 1999, and Public Works Director John Nevenhoven in 2008, and created and filled the Community Development Director position with Erin Willrett in 2008.
After Anderson takes office, he may decide to replace or rehire a department head; but if the Village Board does not agree on the decision, the existing department head may remain in place until the village president and board agree on a replacement.
The village president has the right to choose not to fill a department head position that previously existed.
“The discretion is with him,” Britz said.
Britz said Anderson may conduct employee interviews before he takes office, but may not make any binding decisions for the village.
