On July 7, the City Council approved a separation agreement with City Administrator Michael Guttman, appointed interim leadership, and hired a law firm—at least for the next 31 days.

But the city’s legal battles are far from over. We unpack the latest developments in the Bond law firm saga, including withheld payments, legal threats, and competing interpretations of power and process. Plus: What’s next for the third-party city administrator search, and why one council member says delay is the real tactic at play.

Includes commentary from Marcus Brown, Jeff Jacobson, and Ald. Matthew Myers.

Topics:

• Guttman’s soft landing and $60K payout
• Initial confusion over who represents the city legally (and finally, a resolution)
• Interim appointments and hiring updates
• Lawsuit concerns and political maneuvering
• Public trust, transparency, and what comes next

CORRECTIONS:

Jeff Jacobsen has not defended the Boveys in their greenhouse lawsuit since January.

(By the way, did you know the Boveys never sued the city? It was the other way around—and the City Council could vote to drop it at any time if they so chose)

Liuan's Excellent Live Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18dRsM7ssiTuOYAdPz1sdgxgW4_nwry18zTOCYRR9dhg/edit?usp=sharing

This show is not affiliated with the city or any entity.

Next episode: What does a township do?

Next City Council Meeting: Monday, July 21 at 7pm

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NOTE: Liuan took 9 pages of (live!) notes on last night's city council meeting—find them at the above link.

FURTHER NOTE: Never use AirPods for a podcast interview! Sorry for this audio quality everyone!! —Laura

1. Public Trust and Accountability

Liuan reflects on her public comment to the council, calling out a long-standing culture of condescension and gaslighting from elected officials. She emphasizes: "Trust must be earned—not assumed."

2. The Santiago Appointment Drama

The council discusses Mayor Bovey’s appointment of Mr. Santiago to fill the Ward 2 aldermanic vacancy:

• Some aldermen, including Joe Morano, expressed frustration about not being contacted by Santiago personally.
• Irony alert: Past newly elected aldermen tried to build relationships with sitting members—only to be ghosted.
• No formal resume or application process seems to exist for appointments.
• In the end, Santiago was approved—with Morano abstaining.

3. Grocery Tax Proposal—Put on Pause

An increase to the city’s sales tax (from 8.5% to 8.75%) was pulled from the agenda after community pushback. Expect to see this item return at the July 7 council meeting. Laura and Liuan walk through current tax breakdowns and encourage listeners to reach out with cost-saving alternatives.

4. Liquor License for Uncorked

West Chicago's Uncorked Wine Bar got the green light for a specialty liquor license—though it's tied specifically to that business location.

5. Committee Shuffle Sparks Tension

Longtime Alderman Hallett took issue with being reassigned from Public Affairs to Finance, interpreting it as retaliation.

Mayor Bovey, meanwhile, noted a need for collaboration and adherence to legal procedure—pointing to past attempts to bypass his role in appointments.

6. Guttman’s Pension & Legacy Politics

The lingering question: Why the urgency to preserve Michael Gutman’s pension eligibility? Laura teases a potential FOIA request into city settlements and NDAs, while both hosts express frustration over a perceived pattern of risk-aversion and secrecy.

7. Radium Cleanup & Facility Transparency

Mayor Bovey updated the public about a long-quiet brownfield site off Washington Street:

• Radium-contaminated materials were recently removed.
• He proposes a community tour of the facility to build trust.
• Citizen science field trip with Geiger counters, anyone?

8. The Overpass Debate—Back Again

Calls for a railroad overpass (or underpass) on Washington resurface.

• Past opposition focused on tree loss and property displacement.
• Mayor Bovey: Just because the answer was “no” before doesn’t mean it still is.

9. Backyard Chickens & Staff Engagement

Behind-the-scenes update: City staff are actively seeking public input on a future backyard chicken ordinance. Laura encourages residents to engage early—before votes happen.

10. Closing Notes: Politics as Relationship-Building

Laura and Liuan reflect on the importance of connecting personally—even with officials you disagree with. Liuan plans to break the ice with Alderman Morano next time they cross paths at Camp WeGo.

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There was a distinct vibe shift at the Monday night, June 2 meeting.

Liuan gives an update on the Illinois grocery tax situation, and comments made by the finance committee about it.

There was a VACANCY in an elected office! What happens next??

Is it good to have a city council that disagrees?

Ancel Glink law firm gave a presentation—which was basically a 7th grade civics lesson on the separation of powers—plus more about that law firm itself.

And we’re, once again, back to Michael Guttman’s contract and whether or not it held over from the last administration to this one.

Options we have:

1) let the judge decide on this. (A months-long costly process.) Who wins in this case? The lawyers. Who loses? The taxpayers.

2) go through a peaceful agreement process. Try to come to a consensus without letting it continue in court.

We come up with a fundamental question: if you’ve decided to vote one way no matter what your constituents say—OR if the entire council votes in lock step all the time—what’s the point? Why have a city council with no dissension, and why serve on the council at all if you’re not interested in listening to the voters?

A former alderman came forward during the public comment to emphasize that the public should not twist facts and ‘fill in the blanks.’ But as was brought up by many others during public comment, there’s so many things we don’t know (that we have reached out to aldermen to ask about)—we have a lot of questions, and we haven’t gotten a lot of answers.

“When people don’t have a lot to go on, it makes sense that they fill in the blanks… and there’s kind a sense that they’re trying to hide things if they’re being so closed-door about everything.”—Liuan

The legacy council members seem to have an attitude that voters are easily misled. These elected officials are taking their own experience as THE experience… and it’s a problem. We discuss particular comments made by Jeanne Short during public comment and after the meeting, and admit that the group has a long way to go.

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