Homer Glen board censures mayor
Yukich maintains he did not sign initials to application for festival liquor license
The Homer Glen Village Board voted Wednesday to censure Mayor George Yukich after an independent handwriting analyst said it was probable that Yukich signed an official state document that he alleged had been forged.
The resolution to censure the mayor was approved by a 4-2 vote with Trustees Nicole La Ha and Beth Rodgers dissenting.
Despite the handwriting analyst’s report, Yukich maintains he did not sign his initials to an application for a liquor license that was submitted to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission before the annual Homer Fest in June.
“I stand by my word as not only the mayor but a longtime leader and volunteer in my community, that I did not sign the paper,” Yukich said. “I’m as honest as could possibly come. I’m done with the matter. I did not sign it. I’m tired of hearing other people saying I signed it.”
The board hired KDX Forensic Consulting to do a handwriting analysis on the liquor license application in July, and attorney Cary Horvath released the results earlier this month. The analyst compared the original application with 50 of
Yukich’s known signatures and concluded it was probable that Yukich had signed the document.
The board’s resolution states that by implying his signature was forged by another person, Yukich “has engaged in misconduct which is not only unethical, but also damaging to the reputation of the Village of Homer Glen.”
Trustee Jennifer Consolino said the resolution was a “consequence for a very bad choice.”
“I believe that this board wholeheartedly gave every opportunity to our mayor to make good, to either own up, apologize or go with the flow,” Consolino said. “He chose not to admit to any of this. That’s on him. I’m not sitting here to judge. I’m sitting here to take an action.”
She called censuring a symbolic gesture of what the board represents, saying board members believe in integrity.
Trustee Dan Fialko said he hoped Yukich would admit he made a mistake.
“Censuring does not take anything away from the mayor,” Fialko said. “It is saying we are disappointed in what took place in a formal way.”
The analyst, Kevin Kulbacki, the CEO of KDX Forensic Consulting, was willing to testify in court about his report and had impressive credentials working for the federal government and state law enforcement agencies, Fialko said. The village paid a retainer of $3,200 for the handwriting analysis.
The resolution also sets a policy for future signing requirements. According to the resolution, Yukich has to sign all ordinances, resolutions, contracts, checks and other village documents in the presence of the village manager or deputy clerk.
Trustee Ruben Pazmino said he wishes this controversy wasn’t happening.
“Forgery to me is an accusation that is just as bad as stealing,” Pazmino said. “This accusation is not just amongst two people. It’s amongst the board, which are your peers. It’s amongst the entire village staff and this accusation almost canceled the festival, the festival that people wait a year to go to.”
La Ha, who voted against the resolution, said she is a trustee who sees both sides of the issues.
“For me this comes down to someone made a mistake,” she said. “People are going to continue to make mistakes. We are all human. And I think it sometimes comes down to just offering grace.”
La Ha said she wanted to be sure what the board does is good for the community.