Thread: Furor building over Carpentersville ordinance

Furor building over C'ville ordinance

October 11, 2006
By GLORIA CARRand Jeanne Hovanec STAFF WRITERS
CARPENTERSVILLE -- Supporters of a controversial illegal immigration ordinance vowed Tuesday to continue pursuing it despite Village President Bill Sarto's concern that the village's insurance carrier may not pay any potential legal costs associated with its passage.
Sarto sent an e-mail asking Trustees Paul Humpfer and Judy Sigwalt to withdraw a proposed Illegal Alien Immigration Relief ordinance based on information from the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency that it would not cover the village's legal fees if the ordinance is passed. Sarto said trustees who vote yes on the ordinance would have to pay their own legal fees.

IRMA sent the board correspondence indicating passage of the ordinance likely would be a violation of the contract because its responsibility is to mitigate liability, Sarto said.

"We are actually bringing this onto ourselves," he said. "We are not trying to lessen the impact; we are basically saying, 'bring it on.' "

It is almost guaranteed the village would be sued over the ordinance, just as other communities have been, Sarto said.

"This could be a big financial drain on us when we are trying to do good in the village," Sarto said.

He gave Humpfer and Sigwalt until Thursday to withdraw the proposed ordinance. If the two do not do so, he said he is prepared to remove them from a key board committee, the audit and finance committee, where he said the ordinance originated.

Sarto's e-mail has not scared off Sigwalt and Humpfer. In fact, Sigwalt says they are more determined to follow through with the ordinance and will not run from Sarto's "dog-and-pony show."

"We are not going to bow to his bully tactics," she said. "It hasn't changed our minds."

Sigwalt said that after receiving the e-mail, she spoke with Village Manager Craig Anderson about the accusations listed by Sarto.

She finds all the accusations are speculative, she said.

"None of these entities (IRMA and Northern Trust Bank) know what they would do because it has never been put before them before," Sigwalt said.

Sigwalt said she is hearing different versions from the companies themselves.

Additionally, Sigwalt pointed out that the e-mail states the actions taken by Humpfer and herself already have cost the village financially. But she said Anderson told her that he did not think it has cost the village anything so far.



An empty threat?

Sarto's e-mail listed other concerns, including the potential effect on the village's bond rating and the increased cost of purchasing employee health insurance. Sarto said a representative from Northern Trust Bank said the bond rating would be affected by passing any ordinance that would spark lawsuits. He added an increased bond rating would push up the village's costs of borrowing money for projects such as infrastructure improvements.

He said Humpfer and Sigwalt have breached their "fiduciary responsibility to protect the best interest, and well-being of the people of Carpentersville; both of you are directly responsible for bringing this situation on our village. Let me assure you, your foolishness will not stand."

Sarto said he has the authority to remove Humpfer and Sigwalt from the committee. However, late Tuesday, Sigwalt said she was informed that Sarto does not have that authority.

Despite the allegations, Sigwalt said the response she and Humpfer have received from the public is so large that they will not back down.

"We have heard from so many residents from this town and there is no way we can back down," she said. "The majority of the American voting citizens want this. We were elected by the people to represent the people and we will do just that."
http://link.toolbot.com/google.com/26428

"We have heard from so many residents from this town and there is no way we can back down," she said. "The majority of the American voting citizens want this. We were elected by the people to represent the people and we will do just that."

Bravo!!

They shouldn't be too worried. The ACLU is too busy suing every other town across the US. I doubt they have enough man power to keep up w/ all the law suites which are inevitable.

We are actually bringing this onto ourselves," he said. "We are not trying to lessen the impact; we are basically saying, [quote:2fdpa8t2]'bring it on.' "

Wonder what the 'bring it on.' " was.?......
Bet it was well spoken English. [/quote:2fdpa8t2]

They shouldn't be too worried. The ACLU is too busy suing every other town across the US. I doubt they have enough man power to keep up w/ all the law suites which are inevitable.

If the number of law suits against towns that implement anti-illegal immigration laws doesn't slow the ACLU down, then someone is going to have to ask the Supreme Court to tell the government to start enforciing our existing immigration laws. No court (as far as I know) has addressed the fact that these laws are being ignored by this administration. This can't go on. This is incidious.

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Sarto's e-mail has not scared off Sigwalt and Humpfer. In fact, Sigwalt says they are more determined to follow through with the ordinance and will not run from Sarto's "dog-and-pony show."

"We are not going to bow to his bully tactics," she said. "It hasn't changed our minds."

Please don't be shy about supporting these fine Americans!

Trustee Judy Sigwalt: jsigwalt@vil.carpentersville.il.us
Trustee Paul Humpfer: phumpfer@vil.carpentersville.il.us

Likewise let Mr Sarto know you opinion of him and his actions. I am dismayed that to Mr Sarto only the money is important.

Village President Bill Sarto: bsarto@vil.carpentersville.il.us

Originally Posted by sippy

They shouldn't be too worried. The ACLU is too busy suing every other town across the US. I doubt they have enough man power to keep up w/ all the law suites which are inevitable.

Is there any way to really know how the ACLU is doing with all of these city/town/village bills?

Is there a way that we can get a constitutional lawyer on our side to assist these cities? Can we start a fund to provide a law service to these towns that want to pass bills, but are afraid of the ACLU? If the laws being passed were all the same would that cut down on the cost?
The reason I ask is just how strong is the ACLU? Do they have unlimited funds?
Possible we should be right on their heels countering every move they make.
Possible we should provide a service to our own members to start law suits against cities for not enforcing present laws on parking and health codes.

Originally Posted by sd_hog

Is there a way that we can get a constitutional lawyer on our side to assist these cities? Can we start a fund to provide a law service to these towns that want to pass bills, but are afraid of the ACLU? If the laws being passed were all the same would that cut down on the cost?
The reason I ask is just how strong is the ACLU? Do they have unlimited funds?
Possible we should be right on their heels countering every move they make.
Possible we should provide a service to our own members to start law suits against cities for not enforcing present laws on parking and health codes.

William is working on this now. Apparently trying to manipulate public policy without being a registered lobbyist is illegal.