Burr Ridge Mayor Gives Up Liquor Job

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso announced this week that he is handing his responsibility as liquor commissioner to a trustee "until further notice."

At this week's Village Board meeting, Grasso said Trustee Tony Schiappa agreed to serve in the role. Grasso did not say why he was giving up the job, and no trustees asked him why.

Under state law, a mayor is allowed to designate someone else as liquor commissioner.

Burr Ridge Patch asked Grasso for his reasoning.

"The duties of the mayor are time-consuming, and Trustee Schiappa was willing to take over the role of Liquor Commissioner," Grasso said in a text message.

Trustee Zach Mottl has accused Grasso of being a "weak" liquor commissioner who plays favorites. Mottl, who did not attend the board meeting, questioned the decision to give the job to Schiappa.

"Instead of handing it to Schiappa, he could have handed it to me, so we could ensure that it's an open and transparent process," Mottl said in a text message. "Instead, he handed it to his No. 1 trusted minion to make sure that his bidding is done."

In response, Grasso said no one running for re-election in April, which includes Mottl, was considered.

"There have been no Liquor Commission actions needed for years," the mayor said. "Any such actions have been and always will be open and transparent."

Grasso also said Mottl could have voiced his position at the board meeting, but was absent without explanation.

"Now he goes to Patch," the mayor said in a text message. "Showing up is 90 percent of life. How can he be Liquor Commissioner when he consistently fails to attend board meetings?"

Under a village ordinance, the mayor makes $6,000 a year. The liquor commissioner's position is considered separate. While many towns pay mayors an extra amount for the liquor role, Burr Ridge does not. It is considered an unpaid job.

In the April 6 election, Burr Ridge voters will decide whether to increase the mayor's pay to $12,000.