Village of Huntley attorney Cowlin honored at board meeting

Village attorney John Cowlin was honored at Huntley’s July 8 board meeting

HUNTLEY – At the July 8 village board meeting, Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft, presented village attorney John Cowlin with a glass plaque on behalf of himself and the Board of Trustees.

According to Hoeft, the plaque was given to Cowlin to show appreciation for Cowlin’s years of service to the village.

Cowlin is also partnered with the Crystal Lake based law firm Cowlin, Naughton & Curran, P.C. located at 20 Grant Street.

According to his lawyer profile, Cowlin has served as Huntley’s village attorney since 2015, where he specializes in the areas of local government, real estate, estate planning and civil litigation.

Cowlin has also acted as counsel for the city of Crystal Lake, the park districts of Marengo, Huntley and Hampshire, and the Village of Oakwood Hills.

Being a life long Crystal Lake resident, Cowlin can trace his family roots back to 1855 and even has a street named after his family (Cowlin Street), located in the Manor Subdivision near Route 14 and Route 31 in Crystal Lake.

Law and justice run strong in the Cowlin family, as Cowlin’s father served as a McHenry County judge until 1958, and his two older brothers also practiced law.

Dave Johnson, Huntley’s village manager, mentioned how he had known Cowlin for 25 years when he was serving as counsel for Crystal Lake back in 1996. Johnson went on to also share his gratitude for Cowlin’s services.

“I would say that without a doubt, John is an honorable man with the highest of integrity and John, I can’t thank you enough for the years of your assistance and guidance, but also, I want to thank you for your friendship,” Johnson said at the July 8 meeting.

While it was not stated directly, based on what was said at the meeting, it is to be inferred that Cowlin will no longer be the representing attorney for the village.

“As the board knows, we will keep John’s law firm on as the village prosecutor. So, this won’t be the end of paying invoices to John. John, we wish you the best. You’re always welcome to come on Thursday nights [to] get to spend a little more time at home,” Johnson told Cowlin.

Trustee Ronda Goldman confirmed that Cowlin himself, would no longer be present to represent Huntley, though the village has since acquired a new attorney to sit at board meetings and as Johnson said, will continue to use Cowlin’s law firm.

It was not made clear why Cowlin has stepped away from acting as Huntley’s attorney, though he did say a few words to the Board before the meeting ended.

“It’s an honor to serve you and the village. Thank you all and [I] hope to see you again,” he said.