Board president sued for slander
A former attorney for the Proviso Township High School District is suing the president of the school board for slander. In an amended complaint to be filed with the circuit court this week, attorneys Burt Odelson and Mark Sterk will name District 209 board President Chris Welch as a defendant in their claim, according to Michael Wall, a Chicago attorney representing the plaintiffs.
The civil action was originally filed in August, according to court records, and named an Internet blog and John Doe as the defendants. Wall confirmed Monday that he has identified Welch as the author of the Proviso Insider website responsible for the allegedly slanderous remarks. A co-defendant and the site’s alleged co-author, Emily Robinson, will also be named in the suit.
Odelson and Sterk are partners in an Evergreen Park law firm that was terminated as the school district’s legal counsel over a billing dispute in May. In July, the Proviso Insider alleged that both Odelson and Sterk were “about to be indicted.”
Annual toy drive
An annual toy drive benefiting needy families and children will be held Thursday, Dec. 20 at McGaffer’s Pub on Roosevelt Road. Donors are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift for the Toys for Tots event that begins at 6 p.m. Checks may also be written to any of the local organizations participating in the drive.
McGaffer’s is located at 7737 Roosevelt Rd. and can be reached by phone at (708) 366-9707. The following organizations are also participating: Hephzibah Children’s Association, St. Bernardine, McCarney Foster Home, St. Eulalia, Sarah’s Inn, Forest Park Senior Citizens Club, Shriners Hospital for Children, Loyola University Health System, Forest Park Community Center.
Hopeful club owner denied
Without discussion, the village council voted unanimously Monday night not to issue a Class A liquor license sought by the prospective owner of a topless nightclub whose business application was also rejected by the village earlier this month.
At the Dec. 17 council meeting, Mayor Anthony Calderone only said that he received a request for the village council to consider the motion authorizing the liquor license. A Class A liquor license allows for the sale of liquor that is to be consumed on the premises, said Calderone.
Ken DeGori, the applicant attempting to open the bar, has threatened to sue the village over its refusal to grant him either a business or liquor license.
