The Number Crunchers
Bolingbrook, Illinois

Tressler's Legal Fees Cost Taxpayers a Whopping $37k in Just 3 months

 

"...Mayor Claar has a 5 to 2 advantage on the  Board...Tressler's donated more than $60k to their campaign...will the board do what's right and replace Tressler with a firm that's cheaper and more experienced in the area of school law?"


May 11, 2011


By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

rhonda@thenumbercrunchers-bolingbrook.com



Tressler, LLP and their massive legal fees have been a "hot button" topic for several weeks now.


Unfortunately, we've become all too familiar with their level of influence in the Village, and the millions of dollars they are raking in from the Village, alone.


It's now time to expand our investigation to include other taxing bodies (in Bolingbrook). This article will focus exclusively on Valley View School district.


Our research indicate, Tressler racked up more than $1.5 million in 9 years.


We closely analyzed Tressler's legal fees for a 3 month period (January 1 - March 31, 2011), and was surprised at what we discovered. 



OUR FINDINGS

Of the $36k in legal fees for the 3 month period, approximately 20% ($7k) of those charges were for FOIA Issues and Board Meetings.



 

Summary:

 

  1. FOIA ISSUES - appx. 12.8 hours @ $200/hr.
  2. BOARD MEETINGS - appx. 22.4 hours @ $200/hr.

 

Now consider both cost on an annual basis - approximately $30k.

 

 

FOIA ISSUES

The District has a FOIA Officer (Larry Randa) trained and in place to handle all FOIA issues.  If the District is truly committed to transparency, and saving taxpayers money, why have the $200/hour attorney?

 

 

BOARD MEETINGS

Valley View holds 2 board meetings per month.  Tressler's attorney (Jeff Alperin) is present at every meeting with a seat on the podium with the 7 school board members, administrators and Superintendent.  

 

According to the summary of charges, it appears, Tressler averages 7 hrs/mth in board meeting activity.  That's appx. $1400 per month. 

 

 

WHAT WILL THE SCHOOL BOARD DO?

The Valley View school board is a 7 member board, controlled by Mayor Claar -5 to 2.  All 5 are members of Claar's First Party, and 4 recently ran on the Friends of Valley View ticket.

 

Claar Operatives:

  • Steve Quigley, President
  • Rick Gougis, Vice President
  • Leo Venegas, Secretary
  • Ron Bull
  • Chrystal Hansen

 

As previously reported, Tressler's donated $60k to Mayor Claar's campaign, and $750 to Board President, Steve Quigley. 

 

With a 5 to 2 advantage on the Board, will the school board ever consider replacing Tressler, LLP with a firm that's cheaper and more experienced in School Law?

 

Not likely.

 

 

CLICK TO JOIN THE DEBATE

 

 

Source:  VVSD Treasurers Report, Copy of Tressler's Attorney bills provided by Valley View School District via FOIA request.