JOLIET – Joliet Park District board President Glen Marcum said Monday that an investigation is taking place concerning the district's top executive officer, saying more than any park official has since Dominic Egizio went off the job last week.

The board voted Monday to hire as special counsel a law firm that specializes in representing governmental bodies in litigation, while also formally approving paid administrative leave for Egizio.

Egizio was never referred to by name during Monday evening’s meeting, but Marcum made it clear in a prepared statement that the investigation concerns the executive director.

Sources have said that Egizio went on administrative leave after the park board learned of threatened litigation concerning Egizio and a park district employee.

The board also approved Matt Pehle, the park district finance director, as interim executive director.

Asked how long he expected Pehle to serve in the interim position, Marcum said, “Until the investigation is closed.”

The votes were made without comment by the park district’s board.

But after Pehle was appointed, Marcum read from a prepared statement.

“We understand that the press would like more information to report to the public in regards to the status of the chief executive officer,” he said. “However, this is a pending matter under investigation. We need to not only protect the integrity of the investigation but also respect the privacy of our employees, so we cannot publicly speak at this time about this matter.”

Later in the meeting, the board without comment voted to hire The Sotos Law Firm as special counsel.

Asked later why the firm was hired, Marcum said, “They’re investigating a personnel issue.”

The website for the Itasca-based Sotos Law Firm emphasizes its experience in representing governmental agencies and private companies in state and federal litigation.

“With more than 60 years of experience defending Illinois government entities, public officials and police officers, we have developed a solid reputation as the go-to law firm for municipalities and government officials who have been accused of violating the law,” the website states.

The firm also conducts internal investigations in cases of employees being accused of misconduct.

The board met in closed session on an agenda item that included the consideration of discipline or dismissal of specific employees, “a complaint lodged against an employee,” and possible litigation.

Marcum announced before the closed session that action could be taken afterward. But the board later adjourned without taking action.

Pehle said he did not know how long he would be serving in the role of interim executive director.

He has been with the park district for 2½ years. He previously had been an accountant with Sikich, a Naperville-based accounting firm, where Pehle specialized in auditing government agencies.