Don't Rush Us, La Grange Leader Told

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange Village President Mark Kuchler got a message Monday from one of the village's trustees: Don't rush us.

Trustee Beth Augustine made the request at the end of a nearly three-hour meeting.

It was the second-longest regular Village Board meeting in six years. Coming in first was a meeting in January, when the board handled a contentious zoning issue.

The board, which typically meets twice a month, starts its sessions at 7:30 p.m.

At Monday's meeting, Kuchler told trustees a few times that the goal was to complete a discussion on replacing lead pipes by 9:30 p.m.

Augustine later said Kuchler has a practice of telling the board that it needs to move things along because of the late hour.

"I don't want anyone on this board to feel like they shouldn't respond because we want to get out of here at a certain time," she said. "I'm here for free. I'll stay here as late as it takes to hear what we need to hear from this board."

Kuchler said he didn't remember telling the board it needed to move along.

He said he aims to end meetings by 10 p.m. for the public and staff. Elmhurst's mayor has a similar goal.

"It is not my intent to limit your questioning on any matter," Kuchler told Augustine, adding that he wasn't sure what she was referring to.

Augustine said, "You do make these mentions frequently. I don't know that you're aware of it."

"Sorry you felt rushed," Kuchler said.

As for the lead line issue, he said he wants to pick up the discussion at a later meeting.

"I think that needs hours more of conversation," he said.