Romeoville Trustee Faces Backlash During Meeting After DUI Charge

ROMEOVILLE, IL — A Romeoville trustee’s recent arrest for driving under the influence has sparked a request for his resignation. Romeoville resident Jared Taylor said during the public comment section of the Romeoville Village Board of Trustees meeting April 17 he wants Kenneth Griffin to step down from his post if convicted.

“It’s embarrassing, it’s very frustrating,” he said. “I contacted the Illinois State Board of Elections as well as the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office to see if we could do a recall. Unfortunately, the current state law does not allow allegations or convictions of DUI to be a disqualifier.”

Griffin was arrested at 11:21 p.m. April 5 in the area of Grand Haven Road and Pierport Lane for driving under the influence, according to an arrest report.

Griffin recently won reelection to his seat on the Romeoville Village Board.

“I’m going to be talking to my state senator about how do we include DUIs as excludable offenses for village and other elected positions,” Taylor said. “It’s unacceptable.”

About a year ago, Mayor John Noak also faced a DUI charge.

“Again, not here to pass judgment on the mayor, focusing on trustee Griffin,” Taylor said. “I don’t think these are personal issues, these are personnel issues.”

Trustee Linda Palmiter echoed that sentiment, saying the matter is of concern to her as well.

Taylor wants the mayor to appoint someone to fill the position if Griffin is convicted and later resigns. He said he would like better representation on the village board.

“We, as the taxpayers, we pay a salary to the village trustees,” Taylor said. “You are on the clock all the time. … You represent the village.”

Griffin acknowledged the severity of the charge.

“I’m taking this very seriously,” he said. “I’ve hired an attorney. … I can’t comment.”

Griffin declined to comment on the matter further.