Indian Trails Director Resigns

appointed an interim director this week after the sudden resignation of Executive Director Tom Simiele.

Simiele, who had held the position since September 2009, submitted his resignation, effective immediately, on Wednesday to the library’s board of trustees, Indian Trails spokesman Earl Sabes said.

“I’m as surprised as anybody else,” Sabes said. “It happened really fast.”

Simiele’s resignation came one day after the voters approved the . Funds generated by the increased tax levy will be used to make

“The referendum was successful and he decided to move on. That’s all I heard,” Sabes said.

Last week Buffalo Grove resident with the Illinois State Board of Elections, alleging that the library illegally used tax revenue to promote the referendum. Sabes said he did not know whether Simiele’s resignation was connected with the complaint. Library Board President Gene Looft could not immediately be reached for comment.

Simiele last week defended the library’s actions and said he planned to attend the Board of Elections hearing, which took place Thursday. Sabes said he was unsure whether Simiele was present at the hearing, at which the library was represented by attorneys. A Board of Elections decision is expected April 19.

Simiele was not at the library Friday, when the library named a temporary replacement, Sabes said.

“He’s pretty much gone,” he said.

Simiele did not immediately return a message Friday afternoon.

Michael Madden will serve as interim director beginning Monday until a new director is chosen. Madden retired from his role as director of the Schaumburg Township Library District in 2008 after holding the position for 41 years.

While there, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the North Suburban Library System and the Illinois Library Association’s Librarian of the Year in 1998.

“He’s very knowledgeable and he’s a great person to have on staff for awhile,” Sabes said.

Sabes said the library board will conduct a search for a new director. He said it will likely be at least three months before the new leader is installed.