Village Board vacancy officially filled after former trustee says she was ‘forced’ to resign

HUNTLEY — At the Aug. 8 Village Board meeting, Sun City resident Harry Leopold was officially sworn in as the trustee set to fill the vacancy left on the board after former Trustee Mary Holzkopf announced her resignation at the June 27 board meeting.

In a statement made to the board on June 27, Holzkopf explained that her resignation was not by choice “but rather being forced by the state’s attorney’s office due to an accidental and unintentional issue with the submittal of my Statement of Economic Interest form.”

According to the McHenry County Clerk’s Office, beginning on Jan. 1, 1994, persons required to file a Statement of Economic Interests form include all elected and appointed officials and local government employees who have the authority to authorize the expenditure of public funds, execute contracts, and issue licenses and permits.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally and other county officials have told media outlets that starting in February, Holzkopf was notified at least 11 times of her needing to submit this year’s form through letters and emails sent to her and the Village of Huntley.

The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State states on its website that the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requires the form to be submitted annually on or before May 1. Failure to file by May 31 could result in the forfeiture of the employee’s position, which is what appeared to have been the case for Holzkopf.

“For the record, all of the answers on that form were not applicable as I have absolutely no financial gain from holding this position. Even the small stipend we are given has always 100% been donated directly to my church in the form of a monetary monthly donation nor do I have any investment properties,” Holzkopf stated on June 27. “While I do not agree with the consequences that have been given, I accept full responsibility for the accidental and unintentional error in filing as well as the consequences that come with it.”

Holzkopf, who also owns Blessed Little Kitchen (10436 Route 47 Unit 103), began her tenure as a trustee on May 13, 2021, after successfully defeating current Trustee John Piwko in that year’s consolidated elections.

“While I am incredibly saddened that this is how my time as a public servant in this capacity has come to an end especially knowing that there was so much more that I wanted to accomplish, I’m immensely proud of the way I have represented this village during the time I’ve been appointed,” said Holzkopf.

As for Leopold, he is no stranger to the Village Board as he has served as a trustee since 2003 up until May 11, 2023, when he decided not to run for re-election after his term came to an end. Following his swearing-in, Village President Tim Hoeft asked Leopold if he had any words to say to which he simply replied, “Thanks.”

Leopold will remain on the board until that seat’s expiration in April 2025.