R
iver Forest's village board voted 4-2 to approve a real estate contract with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to market the village-owned property at 7600 Madison St. The decision came after a two-week delay, sparked by an ethics complaint filed by resident Margie Cekander.

    The controversy centered on Walt Wahlfeldt, a JLL employee who had served on the Economic Development Commission (EDC). Although he resigned from the commission, Cekander alleged that his involvement created a conflict of interest. The village's Ethics Commission initially declined to investigate, citing a lack of jurisdiction over conflict-of-interest complaints.

    However, after being asked by the board to amend the ethics ordinance to grant them jurisdiction, the commission voted unanimously to request that the contract be put on hold pending resolution of the complaint. Despite this, the board ultimately approved the contract, with Trustees Erika Bachner and Katie Brennan dissenting due to concerns over the process.

    Village President Cathy Adduci disputed the Ethics Commission's recollection of changes made to the ethics ordinance in 2022, claiming that conflict-of-interest complaints were always under the village board's purview. The decision has been met with criticism from Cekander, who accused officials of "whitewashing" the issue.

    The contract with JLL includes a base fee of $100,000 or 5.5% of the gross purchase price, whichever is greater. The company will have 270 days to market three village-owned properties: the former LCFS building and two private homes on Lathrop and Ashland Avenues.