The Freedom of Information Act sets forth very specific exemptions for a public body but the public body must cite the exemption when denying you the records. I don't know what exemption would be used to prevent you from seeing records related to the hiring of Chementi, unless no such public records exist since it was an appointment of an attorney. What are the records? His Resume?
If there are records, then the village has to cite an exemption for not providing the records. If they don't or you disagree, there is a procedure to appeal the decision. Get To Work!

be quiet go bury yourself in self righteousness.

http://oaklawn.patch.com/articles/village-spends-453k-to-settle-with-law-firm-for-470k

Read the pdf, my friend.

"Terms and details" is the key. Right or wrong, the Board can express opinions without getting into those details.
The hiring of Chimenti, as I understand it from all the articles in all sources I've seen, has been rolled into the settlement since it was germane to the suit. So, those terms will never see the light of day legally.

I also agree with OLHg & Tom. With so many accusations happening I lost track of the fed looking at the village paper work of one of the law firms that looked at another law firm. Anything back from the feds? The doc knows maybe? I think that the doc should question the feds.

anthony
your referring to tom phelan being overbearing i agree he always has been and always will be

I would guess if you asked those two about each other there would be an 80% chance they would say the same thing..... something about "that SOB"

Talk to the trustees, John.They had the power to hire Oak Lawn Businesses. The Mayor had No say so as I recall.

How about ole Bob li'l andy??? He cares or should I say used to care about his friends. Right now I'm thinking that he's thinking about himself too huh???

Get Back to theater practice Dave

Awwwww li'l andy's upset. Did it ever occur to you that maybe the village board insisted on the confidentiality clause, not the prior attorneys??
And the only people that are at village hall at all times are full-time employees.
Most people have other things going on in their lives and as long as he's doing what he needs to do, and was elected to do, now that QC3 have been taken down a few notches what's your problem???

QC, I look forward to the day in the near future when that report is public and the details of the confidentiality clause are appropriately in the open.

As far as Mayor Heilmann doing what he was elected to do, what does he do exactly except cause dissent, strife, negative feelings and a few theatrical productions (not talking about the park district here) for the edification of residents?

The board does many positive things for Oak Lawn. I'm not so sure Mayor Heilmann does much. Maybe your "close connection" with him would allow you to shed some light on the subject?

Your obsession with demeaning Andy is vulgar, bullyish, mean spirited and very telling of the character of the person writing it. In making continued personal attacks and very little discussion on the issues, I don't know how your behavior is any different from the kids who bullied the bus monitor. The difference is they are kids. You know better. It's really not behavior to be proud of.

The Board did vote for the settlement agreement, yes. I'd imagine that the $500,000 recouped for the taxpayer had something to do with that, and that the confidentiality agreement was a condition tied to it.

Why is the Mayor talking to the press about what's in that confidential report? If the Mayor has the pluck to skate along the thin line of violating that confidentiality agreement by talking to the press about what will be in it, my criticism should hardly phase him.

As far as having this expectation of transparency for everyone, if they had a robust conflict of interest policy in which conflicts to agenda items are disclosed at each meeting, it would apply to everyone. It should apply to everyone. I agree 100%.

I will continue to say that if the truth is hidden from the taxpayers at the back end with closed meetings and confidentiality agreements, the taxpayers should know at the front end through conflict of interest disclosures at each meeting. I pray that someone has the courage to place this on the agenda for discussion and action by the Board.

I am going to file one myself. There is enough beef in those private meeting to have a BBq. And while this is a public issue There are many discussion that target "individuals" or 'businesses" only to advance corrupt intentions ......

Dr. Bury, nobody has screamed (and gotten stalkered and pounded on for it) about transparency more than I, perhaps save you. I agree wholeheartedly that it is what best helps a myriad of our town's woes.
However, as noted by others, the whole board voted for that confidentiality, not just the mayor. Logically, either ALL their heads are in a noose for something, or it is SO mundane that they agreed because it was virtually proforma. Either way, the notion that THIS board would all vote to protect THIS mayor is just not happening.
As for the mayor speaking on what it may contain...I suspect he is in pre-spin cycle, anticipating that SOMEBODY is going to violate that agreement at some point, and he wants first crack at laying out his case, even if only in the most minimalist way.
Everybody makes too big a deal out of silly little things about the mayor or trustees...who cares who goes to the bar after a meeting with whom? Why is it important if the mayor is in theater? If they do their jobs for the taxpayers, none of that matters. Bickering about who may be who on Patch message boards or what a person's hobbies might be does nothing to advance the smooth running of Oak Lawn.

Ms Bury/andy
May I say
#1 I was NOT ADDRESSING YOU.
In your obvious attempt at Grandstanding (to get votes) why are you using andy?
Why is andy letting you use him?
No wonder the two of you are getting along.
Do yourself a favor and go back and read li'l andy's posts.
Don't shoot your mouth off when you know not of which you speak!

Do you realize the country is in a recession? Actually Oak Lawn has been lucky with new businesses coming into town. Look around in every town and you will see openings for development. That isn't the Mayor's fault or the trustees. No you can blame yourself for voting in Obama

ol taxpayer your kidding right? the mayor leading people by the nose? him MAKING the trustees vote for something? what planet r u from? do you think the residents of ol r stupid? ya think people will swallow your bs?

Hey Other shoe do you know QC?? You sure sound like him or Dave that is

QC??
No li'l andy, I don't know other shoe. But I sure like his/her posts.
What is your obsession with me? I'm flattered that you named yourself after me, but it's kinda creepy!

I am NOT a self-proclaimed anything, especially not on here...unless you count me saying I'm very average a bunch of times. Then you've got me. If you think there has been no evidence of secrecy (again, people are SO PRO secrecy...it is SO bizarre), you have NOT been reading these boards. Please, GO DO THAT. People have been complaining for months now, maybe more than a year, about backroom dealing, golf courses, clubhouses, local pubs, just to name some starters for you.
What you call 'on the fence' I would call 'pragmatic'. The world isn't black and white, it is very much gray. Why pretend that every problem, every question has only one answer? Many do not. Town government is a bit complex for over 55,ooo residents; why act like the village board is above the reproach of all of them though?
Nice stalking, by the way...BUT, it is interesting that you inferred that average and mediocre are the same. True, the strict dictionary defintions of the words alone mean about the same, but in context they are not mutually inclusive. By 'average' I meant more that we need not necessarily elect lawyers or bankers. Why NOT Andy? (I know, why would I say that...because...) Is he SO much less qualified than the people on the board now? (Disclaimer, I have no idea who Andy is aside from this board, so, technically, this is rhetorical, as I have NO idea if his is qualified or not, but that isn't the point.) Why not Oak Lawn Guy? Why not YOU, callingYouOut? Unless you already are...

Sorry to continue this, but, callingYouOut, you seem to have lost your way here at the end..."psychitzophrenic"? Brain surgeon? To judge people? Like people have me just for wanting the same things many others have said they wanted as well? Try harder to insult me at least; you won't keep up with snagear.
I might have said something about volunteers who are actually placed on committees being people who know people and want to suck up, but really, is that something anybody is shocked by at this point? Are YOU one of those people? Did I hurt your feeling? As I say to everyone, write me in private if you want, and we can meet in person for a pop of something to talk things out, civilized like. My opinions won't change just because we are in person, though I suspect that the people who take shots from behind a profile might not be so brave to talk out loud to a real person, not a keyboard. It isn't that I'm so offended by such antics, childish as they are, but I am perplexed at what purpose they serve. Bullying me clearly hasn't worked, so...?
Your sarcasm aside, I do care about Oak Lawn, and I'm continually amazed at why THAT is a bad thing. Please, feel free to tell me how the things I say are harmful to Oak Lawn...this ought to be good.
Lastly...my real estate sales? What does that even MEAN? While that is my job, so I DO care (as I IMAGINE most people do about the thing that puts food on their kids plate), how is THAT terrible? Again, please explain; or go away.

QC=Dave You continue to personally attack residents,female village officials,trustees,business owners and anyone else that doesn't agree with you. You are a coward,Use your real name Dave, We all know it's you. You have way too much info on executive matters that most residents would never know. Your fascination with Mike Madigan is a little scary. You have more wacky conspiracy theories than Jesse Ventura.I think you are a little creepy??

QC??.
So your real Name is QC?? LOL We all know that You're li'l andy!
WAAAHHH WAAAHHH

If the post were to be created, and they started in Bridgeview, I don't think they ever have the time to make it to Oak Lawn.

The only time, callingYouOut, that I take any issue with something about me is when it is inaccurate. Facts are facts, whether you (or I) like them or not. I do NOT personally have a wish list of anybody in particular being any of these posts. In fact, I would really like NONE of them to be, only because I would much prefer they focus on the things that the rest of us (including you) want them to do for the town, instead of posting on a message board. Of course it is their 'right' as it is for all of us, including you, and, sadly for you, me. Obviously you and I and many others want better for the town and have the time (usually) to post about what we feel is wrong. We don't have (presumably) the power to inflict the change that the trustees or mayor have.
It isn't politcally correct, it is trying to be conscious of reality, or both sides sometimes having factual points in a discussion. First you defend secrecy, now you defend extremeism and partisanship? You WANT more in-fighting? How does that help? I seek compromise or reconcilliation or really ANYTHING resembling a better functioning local (or national, for that matter) governement. You hate PRAGMATISM? Who does THAT? Obviously you disagree with me, so your concept of my 'stated mission' is tragically flawed by the person who brings it up, you!
I post what I post...if people remember and like or don't like it, that is fine. I understand the possible ramifications. Funny you care so much about MY business.

Quick little addendum, callingYouOut, you cannot keep, well, calling me out for having the last word, then proceeding to insult me your entire post, THEN try to set me up as a bully IF I follow up on YOUR attack. Nice try, but no.
Your problem, it seems, is that I CAN take the heat, and will live in the kitchen, if need be. Your attempts to shut down those who disagree with you on this board will not go unnoticed nor unresponded. Calm down and breathe...this is just a message board. You are so angry about pragmatism that you forgot how to capitalize letters or spell. You at least wrote better when bashing me for obtuse reasons before. One can almost see the spittle forming on your lip and the vein in your head throbbing as you typed...take it easy...if any of us could ACTUALLY change something just by typing on the Patch boards, don't you think they would? You make it personal for what? That helps the town how? Seriously, contact me, we can meet and talk it out...I have agreed with you about some things...of course, I don't have the in-born hatred of logic or pragmatism you seem to have, but I'm flexible. Hope to hear from you, though I somehow doubt I will. You have much more to say, I'm sure, from the other side of your screen. Guess that I'm...um, CALLING YOU OUT! (Consider THOSE caps as yelling, not just emphasis.)

the point is to expose motivations... The laugh is if one has a vested interest. Posting in a public forum trying galvinize opinions is risky business..

anthony, I agree with you. On all points. We may not all agree, but if our best, vested interest is in the town, not the person behind a profile name or attacking each other for the sake of attacking, we will at last have a shot at a better future for our town.

cYO
WOWWWW!! As you say, "can you say psychitzophrenic? are you a brain surgeon in your spare time to judge people like that?" You are flippin' vile! Get help!

cYO, QC??, George White, O.L. Taxpayer, danr, 10910, Whaa Dave???, Wish One
snagear = idiotsavants

WishOne Einstein

"You WANT more in-fighting? How does that help?" It might of helped.. It seems they are more interested in other peoples secret deals than making their own...
Bridgeview problems= the stadium (more traffic control than paid attendees)
Oak lawn problems = lawsuits and attorneys

No that's because we don't have a stadium that doesn't make any money for the town that built it on the taxpayer backs!!! QC I don't need a fake name to say something to you.. Dave

George White,
If you read my stuff, and it sounds like you might, you should know that I do NOT think I'm smarter than everyone..quite to the contrary, I find that if my average little mind can comprehend the things I expound upon, it shouldn't be that hard to comprehend for ANYBODY else. Not agree with me, but to understand what I'm saying, not to misquote or purposely pull out of context what I've said. I actually think these message boards are exactly made for disagreements...none of us have all or even most of the answers. There are 55,ooo people in town, though. Together, we should be able to eek out a few good thought and concepts.
While I DO say I'm average, AND I DO say that 'average' people might make good elected officials, that doesn't make me inclusive to the list of those that SHOULD be elected to anything. I'm not a trustee or mayor (except maybe in my own car...), but I AM frustrated. Aren't we all? With something or somebody? Does ANYBODY think the town is running at peak efficiency? I don't know you, George White; maybe YOU would be a great twon official...I have no idea. Maybe callingYouOut would, or Andy, or snagear, or anthony, or RobertS (though it appears he is leaving town). Maybe Dr. Bury would do well, or OakLawnGuy, or OL Resident, or Oak Lawn Gal...so many people are dissatisfied with the board, clearly somebody needs to go. Maybe all of them.
You can keep trying to scare or bully people, but some of them don't run.

How do we know andy skoundrianos is andy skoundrianos and you are supposedly George White, .....Tom Phelan aka King of the Narcissists?

Oh thanks, QC, now you are going to wind up the peanut gallery again.

LMAO. You nailed it 10910! Being nominated in the cyberworld for Mayor is not going to do anything except pump up somebody who should be out looking for a job rather than running down people that work for our village. Sure, they aren't perfect but at least they are doing something constructive.

i support Mr Skoundrianos because maybe a year back i saw him working hard to make a bunch of disgruntled shoppers move faster. Than that same night i saw him at the board meeting... Something about priorities...

The Public record always counts... The key to defeating abuse or dark secrets is to bring them into the open. If they are not an abuse or improper that one should have nothing to hide... lol @creeps keeping secrets

As far as caring i been Schindler talking to not make a big deal out of things for years Not reacting makes things worse

I assure you madam the idea is valid and already may be out of thier hands

uh, didn't you just have the last word mr cyber bully???? frustrated because you don't get any respect from anyone because your so much more superior than them and there jealous????? your in the limelight now so bask in it while you can then karaoke your way out of this jam doofus

QC??
What are the "Facts"?? Proove them. No one from "your group" has any facts! As a matter of fact none of you (lol) answers any questions either!! I've asked plenty, especially from andy, and never ever get answers, just diatribes against me because I ask questions, I don't care. As andy's mother used to say, "Remember mind over matter I don't mind and you don't matter.” Thank you.