The Lakewood Village Board of Trustees is set to vote Tuesday on a motion authorizing an investigation of Trustee Bryan Younge for alleged harassment.

Attached in the meeting's agenda is a letter addressed to McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally, requesting that his office investigate "harassment by Bryan Younge to determine whether his actions violate any stalking or harassment provisions of the Illinois Criminal Code."

According to the letter, Younge's campaign of harassment has been "non-stop" and has included implied physical threats; continued use of the Freedom of Information Act process as a political weapon; public declarations that trustees are "under investigation;" continued and sustained threats that trustees will be subjected to lawsuits; "harassing text messages sent at all hours of the night;" "withering" harassment of the village's chief administrative officer; and taunting via electronic communication.

In a statement, Younge said he is appalled and offended that the village president, "instead of addressing and assisting our village employees, has instead elected to insinuate that I am committing a crime by bringing attention to the toxic and hostile atmosphere our employees are facing."

As previously reported by the Northwest Herald, several past and present employees alleged that Village President Phil Stephan and Chief Administrative Officer Jeannine Smith have made the village of Lakewood a "hostile work environment" because of name-calling, intimidation, and inappropriate comments. These employees include both village staff and those who work at the Lakewood RedTail Golf Club.

Stephan has previously denied these allegations.

"The village of Lakewood has had multiple employees quit or resign over the past year due to this toxicity, which hinders the Village’s ability to function properly," Younge said in his statement. "Instead, our President wants to waste the State’s Attorney's time with a frivolous investigation into me."

Although Younge said he disagrees with the tactic Stephan and members of the board are using, he said that he is hopeful that the resulting attention will lead to the assistance and aid he has been seeking, namely a third-party investigation into Lakewood's workplace issues.

"I trust that the residents of Lakewood will see right through this transparent attempt at retaliation and intimidation and I encourage all concerned citizens to become involved and learn about what is occurring," Younge said.

Stephan did not return a phone message on Monday.

Also on Tuesday's agenda is a motion directing Smith not to respond to, and to disregard any and all communication from Younge.

According to an email obtained by the Northwest Herald, Younge's village email access to contact village staff was revoked earlier in the month, because of what Stephan said was Younge inciting village employees to "act insubordinately."

Younge said he had previously been asked by the village president to investigate an altercation between Smith and Police Chief Todd Richardson.

He said that he is asking Smith questions that are pertinent to this investigation.

As part of his investigation, Younge has been putting together surveys to past and present employees to "test the waters" of their treatment.

"There's an overwhelmingly concerning response," Younge said.

In a recent survey Younge put out, and 13 people said they felt they were harassed, intimidated or threatened by Stephan, while 10 said the same about Smith.

Of the 20 people who answered, 16 said they would come forward publicly with a complaint if there was an independent, third party investigator, and a guarantee of protection against retaliation.

Lakewood's Village Board Meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday in Turnberry Country Club, at 9600 Turnberry Trail.