Village Brings On Administrative Law Judge

An administrative law judge has been selected to decide penalties for local ordinance violations -- a move that will rather than the Cook County Circuit Court in Skokie.

Consuelo Bedoya-Witt, a local attorney with a Glenview-based firm, touts a 33-year career that includes 12 years in private practice specializing in immigration and civil litigation. She was also the first female Hispanic judge in Illinois and served on the Cook County Circuit Court for 21 years.

Bedoya-Witt has been appointed to the position by Village Manager Todd Hileman -- unanimously recommended by staff out of six applicants total, Hileman told  Tuesday, June 7. 

According to a resolution, Bedoya-Witt will manage the newly created Office of Administrative Adjudication, which would create consistency in the hearing of local violation cases, create some revenue for the village from in-house court costs and make the entire process more user-friendly for offenders and witnesses, officials said.

The monthly adjudication hearings are anticipated to start in July. Bedoya-Witt will be paid $150 per hour. 

Village President Kerry Cummings said Bedoya-Witt brings "an impressive list of credentials" to the village.

"[She is] a resident of Glenview who is very familiar with the expectations in this community and I think that will serve us well," Cummings said. 

During comments to the board, Bedoya-Witt said she is pleased to serve the village, where she has lived since 1987.

"It's very close to my heart," she said. "I think the efficiency and continuity and uniformity that the administration adjucation is going to bring to the village will be great beneficial to all its citizens."

In other business, the board approved a two-year extension for the construction period of Greenleaf Manor, a 20-unit residential townhome development at 3345 Sanders Road. Director of Development Mary Bak said the owners are having trouble securing financing. The construction period was also extended in 2009 and 2010.