Maywood mayor moves board into closed session after public comment

Mayor Nathaniel George Booker called the Village of Maywood Board of Trustees to order at 7:01 p.m. March 30 in Council Chambers at 125 South 5th Avenue and, after a public-comment period, moved the board into closed session to discuss personnel matters under Illinois law.

The meeting opened with roll call by Village Clerk Gwaine Dianne Williams, who reported that Mayor Booker and Trustees A. Sanchez, S. Reyes-Plummer, M. Jones, M. Lightford, A. Peppers and I. Brandon were present, establishing a quorum. Staff attendance listed Connie Thompkins (Administrative Clerk), Gwaine Dianne Williams (Village Clerk) and Chief of Police Elijah Willis.

During the public-comment period the minutes record statements from C. Sharp, T. Engoren, G. Clay, K. Sorenson (read by G. Clay), J. Wilson and L. Redmond. The minutes note that Mayor Booker responded to the comments; the text provided does not specify the substance of those remarks.

At 7:34 p.m. Trustee I. Brandon moved and Trustee A. Sanchez seconded a motion to recess into closed session “for the purpose of discussing: A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)).” The minutes cite the statutory authority 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) for a personnel discussion. The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or verbatim discussion that followed in closed session.

After the closed session, Trustee A. Sanchez moved and Trustee I. Brandon seconded to adjourn the special meeting at 9:00 p.m.; the minutes show a garbled roll-call line but indicate the meeting concluded and signatures were appended.

The minutes do not specify actions taken in closed session, any personnel decisions, or details of the public comments. The record lists the clerk and mayor as signatories and notes distribution to the mayor, board of trustees and Village Manager Chasity Wells-Armstrong.