Buffalo Grove board may reprimand village president over parody

The Buffalo Grove Village Board is expected to vote Monday on a reprimand for Village President Elliott Hartstein, over his parody of Lisa Stone at a recall party the night of the Nov. 2 election.

That evening at the Village Bar & Grill in Buffalo Grove, Hartstein donned a wig and did his imitation of the recalled trustee. It was caught on camera, and by at least one videographer.

The following morning, Hartstein issued a written apology, which was published in several newspapers. He later said he has also apologized personally to Stone.

The draft resolution states that Hartstein's actions "are neither countenanced, condoned nor ratified by the Village Board."

It also reminds Hartstein "of his obligation to fully comply with the Village Code of Behavior and Conduct and the terms of this resolution."

When contacted Thursday, Hartstein said he has not seen the resolution, although he was advised by a trustee that the matter is on the agenda.

Asked for reaction, he said, "I believe that I dealt with this issue promptly. I did apologize and I'm ready to move on and get back to the business of Buffalo Grove."

Monday would likely be Stone's last as a trustee. Her recall has not yet been certified. But Stone said she is not planning to attend, "because I was recalled."

Given that Stone herself was reprimanded earlier in her term for violating the code of behavior and conduct, she sees poetic justice in Hartstein being reprimanded for his violation of the same code.

"What Elliott did was really so insulting to the whole community, given the reason that I was being recalled (her code of behavior)," she said.

She said the village board should also reprimand Trustee Jeffrey Berman, who wrote the first draft of the village's recall ordinance, for publishing a letter to the editor expressing outrage at Hartstein's behavior, while pictures of him show him smiling at Hartstein's imitation.

Aside from Trustee Beverly Sussman, Stone said she is not sure anyone on the board was actually outraged by Hartstein's behavior.

"I think this board needs to have a reality check. People are really starting to see them for who they are. It's time for them to take off their masks," Stone said.

Stone said Hartstein came up to apologize at Tuesday's IEPA hearing on the Land and Lakes landfill. She told him she was not yet ready to accept his apology and that she had never attacked his person or personality.

Stone said she told him, "Right now, I'm not ready, Elliott. I just don't want to talk to you right now."

Stone said Thursday she believes Hartstein's apology was not genuine, and was motivated by political pride rather than remorse.

Hartstein said he intends to act expeditiously in appointing a successor to fill out the remainder of her term, adding that he will base his decision on input from the village trustees.

Berman did not immediately respond to calls.