HUNTLEY – A judge has found Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore in contempt and ordered her to serve 30 days in jail. He gave her an out, but she said there’s a problem in meeting the judge’s terms.

In November, Grafton Township trustees, after a 4-1 vote, signed a contract with ECS Financial Services for a forensic audit. Moore being the lone dissenter, according to court documents.

Moore did not sign the audit nor did she turn over a check for a $10,000 retainer.

On Thursday, McHenry County Judge Michael Caldwell found Moore’s actions amounted to contempt based on a ruling he made Dec. 10, 2010. That order said that neither Moore nor the township trustees were to “interfere, hinder, or obstruct” each other in the performance of their official duties.

Caldwell also said in the order that Moore doesn’t have the discretion to refuse to sign contracts with which she personally disagrees.

“The signing of a contract, duly approved by a vote of the Township board of trustees, is a ministerial act that she must perform, regardless of her personal beliefs on the wisdom or propriety of the contract,” Caldwell said.

But Moore won’t have to serve the 30-day jail sentence if she signs the contract and cuts the check.

She apologized Friday for delaying the audit, saying she signed it immediately after the ruling. She said she had been incorrectly advised by her attorney, John Nelson, that she did not have the authority to order the audit.

But the $10,000 check is an issue, Moore said, because there is not $10,000 in the account.

“As a board, we are working to find funds, hopefully by next week, so that can be taken care of,” she said.

Moore said that as soon as the money is in the account, she’ll put the check in the mail.

The litigation is part of a years-long feud between the board and Moore, who took office in 2009.

Moore and the rest of the board have clashed throughout her term in office, which expires this year. She is running for re-election against three other candidates.

Three of the four board members, however, have decided not to seek another term; Betty Zirk is the only incumbent running.




Special meeting planned

Grafton Township will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Huntley Park District, 12015 Mill St.

The agenda includes discussion and potential action on borrowing funds from a lender.

For information, call the township at 847-531-3649.