Peotone Township Board Addresses Worker Accident, Assessor’s Office Resignations

Article Summary:

A resident raised safety concerns at the Peotone Township board meeting after his daughter was involved in an accident while working for the township assessor. The incident was followed by the resignation of two assessor’s helpers, and the matter has now been turned over to the township’s attorney.

Peotone Township Board Key Points:

• Resident Kevin Hack addressed the board regarding an accident involving his daughter, Payton Hack, and stated he has consulted an attorney.

• Two assessor’s helpers, Julie and Jimmy Buscich, resigned from their positions and spoke to the board about their reasons.

• The township has received a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from Kevin Hack, as well as the resignation letters.

• Township officials confirmed the situation is now being handled by the township attorney.

The Peotone Township Board addressed a sensitive personnel and safety issue during its monthly meeting on June 16, after a resident voiced concerns over an accident involving his daughter, who was a township employee. The discussion was compounded by the recent resignations of two other employees in the assessor’s office.

Kevin Hack, a visitor at the meeting, spoke to the board about an accident his daughter, Payton Hack, experienced while working for the township assessor’s office. According to meeting minutes, Kevin Hack informed the board that he has consulted an attorney regarding the incident.

Further complicating the matter for the assessor’s office, two of its helpers, Julie and Jimmy Buscich, have resigned. The Buscichs were also present at the meeting and spoke to the board to explain their reasons for leaving. The township’s official correspondence log for the month included the receipt of resignation letters from both Julie and Jimmy Buscich.

The board also acknowledged receiving a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from Kevin Hack related to the situation.

During the Assessor’s Report portion of the meeting, it was noted that the “situation with the Payton Hack accident will be handled by the township attorney.” No further details on the nature of the accident or the reasons for the resignations were made public during the meeting.

The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Gene Younker, with all board members present. In attendance were Trustees James Morgan, Ron Schubbe, Randy Swartz, and Grant Heatherwick, along with Clerk Kent Heisner and Assessor Virginia Gates-Hamann. Highway Commissioner John Hack was also present. The board conducted its routine business, including approving financial reports and paying bills, before adjourning.