Story corrected to note updated pay information of attorneys who preceded John Gilbert (see related)

John Gilbert has resigned after about one year as a Caseyville village attorney. Mayor Leonard Black announced the resignation at a Board of Trustees committee meeting Wednesday evening.

The Caseyville Village Board / Photo by Roger Starkey

Black said Thursday the decision to leave was Gilbert’s.

“It was his choice,” Black said. “Apparently he just has a lot of business, I guess.”

Gilbert, of the Sandberg Phoenix law firm in Edwardsville, said he “really enjoyed the opportunity to represent the people of Caseyville, but found it necessary to step down.”

Black said Gilbert did not specify why he chose to resign when the two discussed the subject. Black said it was possible Gilbert did not “like this small stuff. I mean, it wasn’t small pay, but maybe he likes bigger cases.”

Gilbert, whose rate was $185 per hour, billed more than $100,000 to Caseyville during his tenure. The three attorneys who held the post the year prior to Black becoming mayor were paid a combined $68,598.14 from June 2012 to April 2013.

Chris Cueto will continue to be an attorney for the village, which will mean little change, Black said.

“Chris just uses him,” Black said of Gilbert.

Michael Gras, attorney at the Law Office of Christopher Cueto, Ltd is expected to transition into Gilbert’s role, with assistance from Gilbert, Black said, although no final determination has been made. No decision has yet been made if an attorney from another law firm will be brought in to replace Gilbert.

“I’m not sure right now, this just happened last night,” Black said. “I’ll have to talk to Chris, but he is out of town. I’m not sure if he’ll back today, tomorrow or the next day, maybe.”