Island Lake police chief, law firm resign

After being targeted in the election by incoming Island Lake Mayor Charles Amrich, the village’s police chief and legal team have announced their resignations.

Both Police Chief William McCorkle and attorney for the law firm of Ancel Glink said in resignation letters their last days will be May 9.

McCorkle’s days were numbered once Amrich and his slate of trustee candidates won landslide elections earlier this month. Amrich, who served as mayor between 1985 and 2005, was critical of the chief, saying he wanted a chief who would be present in the community.

Attempts to reach McCorkle were unsuccessful. His resignation letter was a terse 31 words to current Mayor Debbie Herrmann and the village board and did not hint at his reason for leaving.

“I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve the village of Island Lake,” McCorkle wrote.

McCorkle has led the department since March 2010 and is giving up a job that pays roughly $86,000 a year, according to village financial records. The department is made up of 11 officers, three sergeants and a detective. The department also employs five additional officers on a part-time basis.

Amrich was also critical of the village’s spending on legal fees in recent years. Bills have totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. The firm has represented the village since 2005, the year that Amrich left office.

“We understand the newly-elected mayor intends to appoint a new village attorney, which is his right under state statute,” wrote Ancel Glink attorney Julie Tappendorf, on behalf of the firm. “We will fully cooperate in the transition of any pending legal matters to the new village attorney.”

Amrich’s election along with his slate of three new trustees and a new village clerk, followed a contentious campaign. Amrich was knocked off the ballot initially, but that decision was overturned. Amrich and his slate handily won on election night, with Amrich securing nearly 80 percent of the vote.

The incoming majority campaigned on a promise to bring more transparency to village hall.