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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• Casa Michoacán es un centro de bienvenida para inmigrantes de todos los orígenes. Registran votantes a través del Proyecto Nueva Democracia Americana, empoderando a los residentes para involucrarse cívicamente, manteniendo su identidad cultural.
• Proveen referencias a servicios sociales básicos colaborando con el condado de DuPage, WeGo Together for Kids y otros grupos.
• Aunque Casa Michoacán no dice a la gente a quién votar, tuvieron un papel fundamental en la movilización del voto de la comunidad latina en las elecciones municipales de abril.
• “Es solamente el inicio de una transformación nuestra comunidad de un actitud más incluyente. Cada día tenemos ciudadanos de origen Latino que están preparados, que tienen las ganas y la vocación de servir a su gente. Es cuestión de identificarlos, de conectarlos con los procesos para que no vean el hecho de ser candidato como algo muy lejano sino que algo muy cercano. Porque tenemos que ser nosotros mismos los que defendamos nuestros derechos.” - José Luis Pepe Gutiérrez

Conecta con Casa Michoacán: 900 E. Roosevelt en la intersección de IL-59. (630)-520-3482.

Proximos eventos:

14 de Junio, 5:30 pm - Inauguración de “Libro: Travesías y Resistencia,” una exposición de gráfica binacional para narrar las luchas, esperanzas, y dignidad de las personas migrantes.

9 de Agosto en Parque Las Ardillas (Reed Keppler Park): Celebración de pueblos originarios de las Americas.

Próximas reuniones municipales:

2 de Junio, 6 pm: Comité de Finanzas

2 de Junio, 7 pm: Reunión del Ayuntamiento, incluyendo presentación de abogados Ancel Glink y una actualización sobre las propuestas del alcalde Bovey sobre los nombramientos del administrador municipal y el abogado municipal.

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• Casa Michoacán is a welcoming center for immigrants of all backgrounds. They register voters through the New American Democracy Project, empowering residents to participate in the democratic process.
• They provide referrals to basic social services by partnering with DuPage County, WeGo Together for Kids, and other groups.
• While Casa Michoacán doesn’t tell people who to vote for, they played a pivotal role in getting out the vote for the Latino community in April’s municipal election.
• “Locally, we are creating the conditions for bigger things [to happen]. I’m excited. Let’s get things done, because it’s important for our community and the future and the new generations. We need to do this because they deserve better.” - Jose Luis Pepe Gutierrez

Connect with Casa Michoacán: 900 E. Roosevelt at the intersection of IL-59. (630)-520-3482.

Upcoming events:

June 14, 5:30 pm - Grand Opening of “Libro: Travesías y Resistencia,” a binational printmaking exhibition sharing visual narratives of migration, struggle, and resilience.

August 9 at Reed Keppler Park: Indigenous American cultures celebration.

Next City Meetings:

June 2, 6 pm - Finance Committee

June 2, 7 pm - City Council Meeting, including a presentation by law firm Ancel Glink and an update on Mayor Bovey’s proposed pathway forward with city administrator and city attorney appointments.

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🎧 Episode Summary:

The West Chicago City Council is in limbo right now over essentially one thing: the employment of an appointed staffer—former city administrator Michael Guttman—and whether or not he will receive his pension. Legacy aldermen continue to insist on this, although they appeared to soften on Monday night when Mayor Dan Bovey offered five concessions (listed below).

📝 Key Topics Covered in Monday night's Meeting/in this episode:

🐔 Backyard Chickens (Coming Soon):

• No official debate yet, but a draft ordinance is in the works and will go through a public process.

🔥 Council Drama Highlights:

• 12 public comments were made—100% in favor of Mayor Bovey's leadership.
• Aldermen tried to conduct a vote without the consent of the chairman (Mayor Bovey).
• Confusion and conflict over a “corrected agenda” and alleged violations of state transparency laws.

⚖️ Legal Showdown – The Lawsuit:

• Mayor Bovey filed a Petition for Declaratory Judgment (May 13)
• Hearing scheduled for May 28.
• Debate over whether the mayor can act without council approval—case law appears to support him.

🔧 Procedural Skirmishes:

• Disputes over Robert’s Rules vs. the document presented by Sandy Dimas to the council.
• Friction on how meetings are conducted and who has the right to speak or preside.

The Olive Branch:

Mayor Bovey is proposing 5 things:

1. Firewall himself from decisions made around the Greenhouse.
2. Legislative counsel - the city council can keep Pat Bond as their attorney for legal matters, would not be the official city attorney.
3. Appoint interims for a maximum of 6 months.
4. Since the city council doesn’t like his choice of Jeff Jacobson as his interim corporate counsel, Dan offered choice of 3 different firms. One of them showed up to the meeting and spoke: Kevin Sterk of Ancel Glink. (Their attorneys wrote the Illinois Municipal Handbook, and they represent over 70 public bodies around the state.)
5. Get Guttman to his goal of retirement.

📢 Civic Engagement on the Rise:

• There was unusually high public turnout at this meeting—especially among younger residents!

📆 Upcoming Meetings:

• June 2: Finance Committee – 6:00 PM, City Council – 7:00 PM

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Jonathan Wolf joins to discuss the nonprofit organization We Go For The People, its purpose, goals, and the importance of community engagement in local politics. We explore the four pillars of the organization, upcoming city council meetings, and the significance of transparency and accountability in government. The discussion emphasizes the need for civic participation and building relationships with elected officials to foster a collaborative environment in West Chicago.

00:00 Introduction to We Go For The People

02:58 The Purpose and Goals of We Go For The People

06:07 The Four Pillars of We Go For The People

09:04 Community Engagement and Local Politics

11:58 Upcoming City Council Meeting and Assembly

14:55 The Rogue City Council Agenda

17:49 Building Relationships with Elected Officials

21:06 Ways to Get Involved

24:02 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Carlos es ahora uno de los cuatro hispanohablantes del Ayuntamiento de West Chicago, una primicia histórica para la ciudad.

En este episodio, habla de su campaña de 2025 y su método para llamar a todas las puertas en el Distrito 6. (Se le acabaron los folletos muy rápido.) Carlos también describe cómo ve su papel - como un puente desde el pueblo, hasta el alcalde.

A continuación, Carlos explica lo que ocurrió tras la toma de posesión del nuevo alcalde y los nuevos concejales el 5 de mayo, en una polémica reunión de tres horas y media que no llegó a resolverse.

PÓNGASE EN CONTACTO CON SUS CONCEJALES ESTE FIN DE SEMANA. Cada uno de los concejales heredados necesita saber si esperas o no que la nueva administración pueda nombrar un administrador municipal, un abogado municipal y un jefe de policía (como se indica claramente en la descripción de las funciones del alcalde en el sitio web de la ciudad: «Nombrar y destituir, con el asesoramiento y consentimiento del Consejo, al administrador municipal, al jefe de policía y al abogado de la corporación").

MAPA DEL DISTRITO: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://westchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022WARD_NEW_FINAL..pdf

INFORMACIÓN DE CONTACTO DEL AYUNTAMIENTO: https://westchicago.org/elected-officials/#citycouncil

Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor DeepL.com

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