'Vote With The Facts:' Ronette McCarthy Endorsement

PALOS PARK, IL — Having represented Illinois public entities and public officials for 35 years, I have seen what happens in some local governments in the “silly season” leading up to a local government election. It appears that Palos Park has a bad case of the “sillies” right now, judging by some posts and comments that I have viewed on social media.

Among the silliest of posts I have viewed are those doubting, questioning or minimizing the past municipal law experience of mayoral candidate, Ronette Leal McCarthy.

I am an equity partner at Ancel Glink, and I employed Ms. McCarthy. I am familiar with her history with our firm and her work for our clients. She started with our firm in 2002 as a law clerk. We were so impressed with her work in that capacity that we extended an offer to her to join our firm as soon as she passed the bar exam in 2003. Unlike other new law school graduates, Ms. McCarthy brought with her several years of practical and life experience when she joined us at age 31, because she went to law school after having earned her Master’s Degree in education and having served as a teacher for several years. Accordingly, we were comfortable having her advise clients in meaningful matters immediately, and they respected her advice.

While at our firm, Ms. McCarthy advised numerous governmental clients, including municipalities, school districts and park districts. She advised them related to preparation of tax levies, tax exemptions, property vacations and easements, personnel policies and handbooks, First Amendment issues, retaliatory discharge claims, construction law disputes, annexation and disconnection matters, preparation of ordinances, parliamentary matters, grant procurements, the No Child Left Behind Act, the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act, real estate matters and she also assisted the Village of Lisle in the development of a public-private partnership with Benedictine University.

In short, she was a valued part of our team, and we were confident she could soundly advise local governments about the types of issues they face on a daily basis. She was good at what she did, and our clients liked and respected her. I doubt her governmental problem-solving skills and knowledge of the law have “expired,” as some have implied. We were sad to see her leave in late 2007, and we would hire her back in a heartbeat. The fact that her name was not often in the news as a result of the legal advice she provided is a good thing, not a bad thing.

Palos Park has an informed electorate. Vote for whomever you want. However, do so with the actual facts.

Sincerely,
Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer
Equity Partner