Murders Top Headlines of 2014 - Top 10 Stories

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  As 2014 comes to a close in the next few hours, I wanted to reflect on the top 10 stories that made the news.  Sauk Village's murders definitely took the top spot in the news as the number of murders has increased!  Many good people, long-time residents and friends were lost along the way.


#10:  FEBRUARY 19, 2014:

FORWARD MOTIONS NOW WILL INCLUDE LAYOFFS- 23 Year Veteran & Deputy Fire Chief Axed

 

 

Lisa Gibbons

 

SAUK VILLAGE|  A 23 year veteran employee of the Sauk Village Police Department and the Deputy Fire Chief were axed by the Hanks Administration today.

Police Chief Timothy Holevis was summoned to the office of Mayor David Hanks early Wednesday morning who apparently gave the order to place Lisa Gibbons on layoff status.  It was also learned today that another head would roll.  Deputy Fire Chief Rich Atwood, a longtime veteran fire fighter was also placed on “layoff” status today.

 

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#9 MARCH 23, 2014:

TRAVELGATE: ATTORNEY GENERAL DEMANDS VILLAGE CLERK RELEASE ALL RECORDS

 

VILLAGE CLERK DEBBIE WILLIAMS

SAUK VILLAGE | After a 7 month battle with the Village and their attorneys, the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office has finally determined that the Village  possessed records responsive to our Freedom of Information Act request from July, 2013 and has violated the Freedom of Information Act.  “The vindication by the Illinois Attorney General shows that this Village Clerk and this Mayor have been anything but open, honest, transparent or accountable to the people” Joseph Wiszowaty states. 

 

 

 

 

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#8 APRIL 29, 2014:

4 TO 3 VOTE HIRES CONTROVERSIAL SUPERINTENDENT

 

Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak
Sauk Village's new Superintendent of Schools

SAUK VILLAGE |  School District 168 School Board approved hiring the controversial candidate for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak to replace retiring Superintendent Al Travaglini.  Travaglini took over as Superintendent in 2011.

The vote to hire Leak was 4 to 3 voting yes were Mary Howard sister to Sauk Village Mayor David Hanks, Aisa El-Amin, Deloris Green and Jimo Kasali and voting no were School Board President Sharon Davenport, Tammy Jones and Melvin Stevenson.

 

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#7 JULY 23, 2014:

WATERGATE SCANDAL GROWS, WATER FUNDS TAKEN, COMMISSIONER REMOVED AND RESIDENTS WONDER

LtoR Housing Commissioners Heidi Parker, Gary Holcomb

and Sharon Nowak

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Controversy has fallen on the Sauk Village Housing Commission and calls for investigations have quietly begun.  The new scandal involves the Village's water fund which has been under intense public scrutiny given the Village's past practice of balancing the budget with water funds.  Residents were paying $3.50 per 1000 gallons of water are now paying $7.50 per 1000 gallons and bills have skyrocketed.

 

 

 

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#6 SEPTEMBER 23, 2014:

SAILSBERY SWORN-IN AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  Rebecca Sailsbery was sworn-in as Deputy Chief of Police once again last week privately and formally Tuesday night during the Village Board of Trustees meeting.  Sailsbery previously had served as Deputy Chief of Police from 2007 to 2010 and Interim Chief of Police from October 2010 to December, 2010.

Sailsbery has been serving as the Department’s Administrative Sergeant since 2010 through the tumultuous times of former Chief Frank Martin, who had the shortest tenure in Sauk Village history.  Also, during the 18 months of Tim Holevis as “acting” Chief of Police, the temporary Chief of Police Robert Fox from November, 2011 to November 1, 2012....

 

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#5 OCTOBER 12, 2014:

Beware of Politicians Bearing Gifts at Election Time...

especially $4.8 million

 

SAUK VILLAGE | Governor Pat Quinn came to Sauk Village at election time to announce a $4.8 million grant as part of his multi-billion dollar clean water initiative Saturday afternoon.  Quinn is in for the race of his political life this November and every vote counts which is why some question the timing of this announcement!  Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner, who just picked up the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune and Crains Chicago Business, has been doing well in polling.  Polls show Rauner with a slight advantage while other show a dead heat. 

 

#4 SEPTEMBER 8, 2014: 

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL RULES SAUK VILLAGE VIOLATED FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

DEBBIE WILLIAMS

VILLAGE CLERK DEBBIE WILLIAMS MUST DISCLOSE DETAILS ON TRAVELGATE

SAUK VILLAGE| The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office issued a rare 10 page binding opinion against the Village of Sauk Village concerning a request for information about Village Clerk Debbie Williams’, her daughter Village Trustee Rosie Williams and a Village vendor Patricia Couch’s trip to Washington D.C. in July, 2013 to attend the Building One America conference.  Madigan’s office declared in their opinion that the Village had “violated the (Freedom of Information) Act” by not providing full and complete disclosure about the trip, which they determined was subject to public disclosure.

 

***CLICK HERE*** TO VIEW THE 10 PAGE I.A.G. OPINION

 

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#3 SEPTEMBER 14, 2014:

Youth Gunned Down in Sauk Village

Duane McCray- Courtesy of
Facebook

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE | Another young man was killed Saturday on the streets of Sauk Village, the third since June of this year. 

 

Duane McCray, 20, was shot in the 21700 block of Peterson Avenue in Sauk Village, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:40 p.m., the medical examiner’s office said.  McCray attended Sauk Village schools and Bloom Trail High School.

 

 

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#2 JUNE 7, 2014:

MAN DEAD, WOMAN STABLE FOLLOWING SHOOTING

John McIntyre

Contributions by: Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | A man was pronounced dead and a woman was in stable condition Saturday following shootings in Sauk Village, police there said.

At 12:05 a.m., Sauk Village police responded to a call of a woman in the 2100 block of 217th Street with a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they found a 19-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the face and a 25-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the head.

 

 

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#1 STORY OF 2014...  AUGUST 19, 2014:

2 CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF NATE BURNS

Nate Burns killed August 14th

MARKHAM | On August 14, 2014 at approximately 1:45pm, the Sauk Village Police 911 Center received a report of several people shot, in the 1700 Block of Sauk Trail Rd., Sauk Village, Illinois.  Upon arrival, officers learned 4 people had been wounded by gunfire.  All the victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment.  One male victim, Nathaniel Burns, 16, of Sauk Village later died from his injuries. 

During the course of the investigation, Detectives learned the identity of three suspects.  Two suspects have been apprehended and were both charged late Monday night by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.  Charged with First Degree Murder are Lamika Overall, 19, of Steger and Shaquille Wilson, 20 of Sauk Village.

 

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PERSON OF THE YEAR - 2014: Dr. Donna Leak

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Congratulations Dr. Donna Leak!  Leak is the Sauk Villager’s Person of the Year-2014!  Leak is Sauk Village School District 168’s first African American woman to serve as Superintendent of School.  Leak’s appointment as Superintendent was approved by a 4 to 3 vote but has quickly earned the respect of the School Board members and the community.

Leak and her staff have been reaching out to the community in some of the most successful attempts I’d ever seen!  The Back to School Bash was an absolute success!  The event didn’t cost taxpayers a penny!  Donations were solicited from Walmart, Target and Sauk Village’s own Fairway!  Leak brought together staff and school board members and had over 600 people attend, a number which far surpassed their expectation.  We look forward to a repeat success in 2015.

Leak also has put together Community Relations Advisory Councils including Parents, Teachers, Local Educators and Community members, residents and stakeholders within the District in a move to gather greater input from all segments of the community.  Leak also instituted a monthly Parents Coffee with the Superintendent.

Leak will face many challenges in the coming years by improving the School Districts abysmal standings.  “We need to improve our schools so that we can encourage young families to move to Sauk Village and become homeowners” Kelvin Jones, a candidate for Village Trustee said.  “Schools are an important part of what homebuyers look for when deciding where to move” Jones said recently.

Leak has been involved within the community attending Town Hall meetings and community events and has truly hit the ground running!  Hats off to Dr. Donna Leak, keep up the good work and we look for some exceptional improvements to District 168 and a new brand of leadership.

This was a very tough decision this year as others were considered for this distinction including Bill Hall who has worked tirelessly on putting together the Shine On Sauk Village Gospel festival for many years.  Trustee Derrick Burgess, even though he was 2013’s Person of the Year, he has continued to serve as an advocate for the Residents of Sauk Village.  Nannette Wargo for her many contributions to continue the Village’s Community Garden.  Reverend Melody Seaton of the new Grace United Church of Christ, which re-opened in Sauk Village after a brief hiatus was another candidate for this year’s honor.  Melody in her first year organized, with members of her Church, a drive to purchase new coats for needy Children in Sauk Village public schools.

WASHINGTON BLASTS HANKS FOR CANCELLING MEETINGS

LYNDA WASHINGTON

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  It appears that the “forward motions” David Hanks campaigned on have come to an end along with about 15 to 20 Village Board meetings in 2015 so says Trustee Lynda Washington.  Washington appears to be breaking ranks with Hanks in her move to distance herself from her one-time political ally.  Washington put out a press release critical of Hanks unilateral decision to cancel as many as 20 meetings in 2015.

Hanks and Village Clerk Debbie Williams have been criticized by many residents for the lack of transparency in the Village government where residents do not know what is going on.  “Money is being moved around and things are going on behind the scenes where Hanks doesn’t want people to know” says a long-time resident.  The Illinois Attorney General issued a binding opinion declaring the Village had in fact violated the Freedom of Information Act by failing to provide public records as required by the law over the Travelgate scandal.

Hanks apparently told Trustees privately about his scheme, because this was not part of a public statement, “there is nothing to put on the agenda and the residents do not come to the Village Board meetings to participate” according to Washington’s statement.

“The Mayor stated that he plans to cancel at least 15 to 20 more meetings in 2015” Washington said in a letter she authored on Village letterhead.  “I am not in agreement with this decision” Washington states.  “This was a decision of Mayor Hanks alone and not a Board of Trustees decision” Washington said.

With the Village’s finances in a precarious state, with revenues falling far shorter than budgeted, the lack of meetings do not provide residents the ability to know how Village bills and employees are being paid.

Washington has circulated a copy of her news release throughout the Village.  “I’ve been passing it out at Fairway” Washington said.  “I have an outpouring of supporters they want copies to pass out they are appalled” Washington said.

Trustees Derrick Burgess, Washington and Rosie Williams called a Special Meeting for this Tuesday to discuss village finances, despite Hanks’ effort to cancel meetings without the Village Board’s approval.

BURGESS ANNOUNCES & FILES FOR RE-ELECTION

SAUK VILLAGE |  After keeping his commitment to the residents of Sauk Village to advocate for  open, honest and transparent government by holding the administration accountable, Trustee Derrick Burgess has announced his bid to seek re-election in April, 2015 as an Independent candidate.

“I have been asked by numerous residents to keep asking questions and ensure their voices are heard” Burgess said.   “After careful consideration of the many residents who have encouraged me to run for office again, I have decided to announce that I will be a candidate for re-election as your Village Trustee” Burgess said.  Burgess devotes full-time to his duties as Trustee since his recent retirement in 2014 from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Burgess has served as Trustee since 2006 and won re-election in 2007 and 2011.  Burgess ran for Mayor in 2009 against Lewis Towers and again in 2013 only after securing the endorsement of then “acting-Mayor” David Hanks.  Hanks subsequently went back on his word and ran against Burgess who lost in a 4-way race.

To give people the opportunity to voice their comments and concerns without time and subject limitations imposed during regularly scheduled Board and Committee meetings, Burgess instituted monthly Town Hall Meetings that are very popular with the residents who want answers to questions.   Burgess routinely asks Hanks for clarification on proposed actions during board meetings and even voted no on the most recent budget, calling it “unbalanced” and “unrealistic”.  Burgess illustrated his concerns about the mayor's proposed budget by presenting a 21 page analysis that highlighted in details the potential points of failure to which no other Trustee had done.  “The purpose of the analysis was to point out to the Board that we could no longer continue with business as usual and we, as a Village Board must work together to bring solutions to the table.  Some decisions and actions taken by the mayor and Board are done so based on their interpretation of "past practices".  These "past practices" have proven to be flawed and have continued to lead us down an unsound fiscal road” Burgess said.

 

Burgess said he will continue to advocate for the residents and that his experience in municipal government has been invaluable. 

“I’m not against moving the village forward, but I feel we have been heading in the wrong direction” Burgess said.

Burgess filed his nomination petitions at Village Hall today at 8am.

Also filing Monday morning were Jeff Morden who was elected to the unexpired term of former Trustee Robert Chavez in a special election in 2013.  Morden has been without a Committee  assignment for months.

Former School District 168 Board President Cecil Tates, who has lived in the Village for more than 30 years and also is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel.

Gary Holcomb, a supporter of Mayor David Hanks, and chairperson of the Housing Commission who has been the center of controversy over the summer.  The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is considering a Binding Opinion that the Housing Commission had violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Resident Kelvin Jones also filed Monday.  "I want to make a difference in the community.  We don't need another rubber stamp or bobblehead' Jones said today.

The final candidate to file this morning was John Poskin, a staunch ally to Hanks.  Poskin was Hank's appointment for 2-unexpired terms for Village Trustee and has been the longest serving unelected Trustee in the Village's history.  Poskin will be running for the first time since 2005 when he ran with Hanks and lost.

All of the candidates who filed today, including Burgess are running as independent candidates.

AG REVIEWING VIOLATION OF OPEN MEETINGS ACT

LtoR: Housing Commissioners Heidi Parker,
Chairperson Gary Holcomb and
Commissioner Sharon Nowak

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE- Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is out to make sure that local governmental bodies are not hiding behind closed doors when they should be discussing matters before the public in open sessions.   Sauk Village has been on the Attorney General’s radar screen lately, most recently for the so called Travelgate Scandal involving a Freedom of Information Act request with Village Clerk Debbie Williams and her daughter Trustee Rosie Williams.

In addition, Gary Holcomb, who is chairman of the Sauk Village Housing Commission and also a member of the McConathy Public Library Board, is under intense scrutiny by the Illinois Attorney General’s office for possibly violating the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

 The Sauk Villager News filed a request for review to the Illinois Attorney General’s office claiming that the Housing Commission violated the Open Meetings Act by holding a closed session meeting on September 28th during a special meeting held on a Sunday when Village Hall is typically closed called to discuss matters that are not covered under said Act.  Once again, the Village of Sauk Village has not complied with the Attorney General’s request for information that would either refute the allegations made or support the purpose of the closed session meeting. 

The Attorney General’s office has extended their time to make a determination by an additional 21 days so they can issue a Binding Opinion regarding the matter.  Subsequently, a final determination by the Attorney General’s office will be made on or before December 30^th according to correspondence sent to the Village and to the Sauk Villager News by the Attorney General.

Holcomb has been the source of criticism by residents multiple times this year.  During the summer, while executing a Housing Commission initiative to clean up vacant properties in Sauk Village, Holcomb publicly displayed on Facebook copies of a family’s State identification and Social Security cards that he found in the rubble of a vacant property.  Instead of properly disposing the information, Holcomb chose to openly share the family’s identity on a Facebook page he is known to control.  Some believe that Holcomb has also overstepped his authority as a Housing Commissioner by entering into contractor agreements with residents for grass mowing even though the Commission had neither the available funds for payment nor the approval of the Village Board of Trustees to promise such payment.  This action put the Village of Sauk Village in a precarious position and the Village was forced to withdraw $26,000 of unbudgeted money from various funds in order to honor Holcomb’s contractor agreements.

Holcomb previously served as a Commissioner on the Village's Housing Authority, which was disbanded, but resigned in 1996 during a scandal and involving the Authorities handling of a Community Development Block Grant.  The Village was suspended from the CDGB program as a penalty for several years.

Former Housing Commissioner Larry Stewart, was removed from the Commission said that the commission is headed down a wrong path.  “There was a reason that I was removed because I ask too many questions and I don’t follow blindly.  They can say it was because I didn’t live in Sauk Village but we know that’s just bull.  I live here I vote here and I’m not going anywhere” Stewart said.  Holcomb said in a published report last year "I hand-picked my commission...I don't do anything by myself" Holcomb said. "We're all longtime residents and want to see Sauk Village return to what it used to be." Holcomb also said.  "The problem is we can't bring it back to what it was, we've got to move forward" Stewart said.  Stewart said he was singled out because of politics.

According to Illinois State Statute (775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq; 65 ILCS 5/11-11/1-1; and 720 ILCS 590/0.01 et seq), Housing Commissions are only permitted under Illinois law to enforce the Fair Housing Act and settle matters of discrimination in housing.  Some residents, and former Commissioner Stewart, contend that the Sauk Village Housing Commission is acting outside of these guidelines and is illegally operating as a Housing Authority.  In fact many residents point out that Mayor David Hanks has referred to the “Housing Commission” repeatedly as the “Housing Authority”.  These residents also believe that a formal investigation is warranted.

Violations of the Open Meetings Act can result in a monetary penalty for each of the Commissioners who may have violated the Act and also can carry a prison term as well. 

Holcomb is now said to be circulating nomination petitions to run for Village Trustee in the Village’s next April election.