Darien Official Loses Temper, Later Apologizes

DARIEN, IL – A Darien alderman lost his temper Monday at a City Council meeting, later apologizing and donating to three local groups as his "fine" to the city.

The incident involved Alderman Joe Kenny and resident Heather Conroy, who has become a frequent critic of the city government.

During public comments, Conroy spoke out against the city's proposal to do away with the 38-year-old Environmental Committee, to which she belongs.

The council had planned to vote on the elimination, but decided to discuss the matter later this year at its annual "goal-setting" meeting.

Conroy and committee member Arleta Peknik spoke about the issue during public comments before Mayor Joseph Marchese weighed in.

The mayor decried "the nonsense" on social media. And he labeled as untrue a suggestion that City Administrator Bryon Vana wanted to abolish the committee in response to Conroy's criticism of the creation of a special tax district, which she called a "corporate handout."

Marchese was ready to continue the meeting when Conroy said another committee member, Deb Hardtke, wanted to speak.

Marchese told Conroy her three minutes were up.

But Conroy said the mayor interrupted before Hardtke got a chance to say her piece during public comments.

Some aldermen asked to whom Conroy was referring.

Conroy shouted, "Deb, from your Environmental Committee."

Kenny said, "Why doesn't Deb say something? Raise your hand, please."

Hardtke apparently did.

"OK, then come on up," the alderman said.

Conroy told Hardtke, "Don't let him bully you like that."

Kenny then threw down his glasses at the council table. They bounced onto the floor.

"Did he throw his glasses?" Conroy asked.

Kenny then said "bully" five times, as if questioning his being called a bully.

"Three meetings in a row, Heather, I've had to listen to you berate this council," he said.

As Kenny continued, Marchese pleaded, "Alderman Kenny."

Kenny put his hand up to the mayor, saying, "Hold on, Joe."

Kenny said Conroy failed the "4-Way Test," the ethical guide of the Rotary, a club to which Conroy belongs.

A half hour later, Kenny spoke about the incident just after members of Hinsdale South High School's Robotics Team presented their creation to the council.

"I let my emotions get the best of me, and I'm going to apologize to the council for doing that," he said.

He said a constituent who was like a mother to him advised him to cool down.

Aldermen, he said, get a $3,600 stipend each year, receiving $300 a month. He said he would donate the remaining $600 for this year, giving $200 to the Robotics Team, the Darien Youth Club and the local Knights of Columbus. All three were honored at the meeting.

The contributions were "for my outburst and not minding manners," Kenny said.

"So my apologies to the city of Darien, my colleagues, and I will pay my fine to you guys," he said.

City officials applauded, as Conroy could be heard saying, "That's terrible."