Joseph La Margo stepped down as Niles village manager at the end of last year, and the Village Board has now approved his separation agreement.
La Margo’s last day with the village was Dec. 2 – after starting there in Aug. 2021. His separation agreement includes $36,000 severance pay, or eight weeks of wages, and $26,000 in unused paid time off.
The Village Board approved it at a special meeting Jan. 2
La Margo had previously worked as the city manager of Portage, Michigan before applying for the Niles village manager job in 2021. He explained at that time that he wanted to be closer to family in Illinois after his father-in-law died during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before his time in Michigan, La Margo spent several years working in Illinois, including as chief deputy director of accounting revenue for the Secretary of State, according to his employment biography.
La Margo worked for the village of Orland Park from 2006 to 2019, stepping into the roles of deputy clerk, assistant village manager and village manager, according to his work history.
It was previously reported that he left the Orland Park village manager position after the election there of mayor Kieth Pekau, with whom La Margo had a strained relationship.
He had filed a defamation lawsuit against Pekau and his mayoral campaign following after leaving Orland Park, but the civil suit didn’t prevail. In a news conference, La Margo claimed Pekau violated a clause in the former village manager’s separation agreement.
A similar clause exists in La Margo’s separation agreement with Niles.
In 2023, a judge ruled against La Margo, leaving him on the hook for $30,000. He has an appeal of the decision pending.
Despite the drama with Orland Park, Niles mayor George Alpogianis cited La Margo’s experience there, with its large restaurant and retail base, when Alpogianis sought to hire him in 2021. La Margo’s finance background with the Secretary of State office was also cited.
The now-departed village manager was hired at an annual salary of $225,000 and with no formal contract. His salary as he departed was listed at $236,385.
During the same special meeting, the board approved an employment contract with La Margo’s temporary replacement, Mark Janeck.
As acting village manager, Janeck’s will be paid a bi-weekly salary of $8,400 instead of an annual salary. The board plans to begin the search for a permanent replacement later in 2025, officials said.
Alan Kozeluh is a freelancer.
