'Offensive' Use Of Hinsdale D-86 Attorney: Official

Darien IL

03 May, 2022

12:18 PM

Description

DARIEN, IL – The lawyer for the Hinsdale High School District 86 board is being used to strategize against the board's minority, a member said last week. At Thursday's board meeting, member Peggy James said she and other members were not privy to information given to the board's president and vice president. She said the board's legal bills, which have not been made public, indicate the lawyer is strategizing against the minority. "I find that concerning, offensive and not part of a uniform representation of an entire board," James said. Under the board's policies, the attorney represents the school board as a whole. The superintendent and board president are authorized to confer with the lawyer. James and members Debbie Levinthal and Jeff Waters make up the minority of the seven-member board on many issues. Levinthal said she agreed with James' statements. Member Jeff Waters said he was concerned with the increasing costs of legal services over time. The latest batch of bills totaled $58,000. Board President Erik Held blamed the rising costs on an increasing number of public records requests. The board voted 4-3 for approving the legal bills, with members voting on the usual majority-minority lines. Also at the meeting, Levinthal voted against a resignation agreement with an assistant superintendent. She explained her vote by saying she had no access to information from the attorney on the issue. The board's main law firm is Arlington Heights-based Hodges Loizzi.