Bradley, IL – In a move that has raised eyebrows across Bradley, the village’s board of trustees voted to repeal their anti-nepotism ordinance, previously aimed at curbing undue influence in local government hiring practices. This decision was reached during the board’s recent meeting, overturning a measure that had been tabled just two weeks earlier for further review.
Mayor Mike Watson stated that the rules against hiring relatives will now be addressed within the village’s personnel handbook, purportedly to enhance professionalism in administrative operations. “It was decided to repeal that ordinance and incorporate the needed language moving forward into the village handbook, which is probably the more appropriate place for it,” Watson later said. The repeal has sparked debate among residents about the potential for increased influence by public officials in village hiring.
This significant change comes as part of broader modifications to the village’s administrative guidelines during a Committee of the Whole meeting on April 16th.
