A leader of a far-northwestern Chicago suburb is taking steps to derail a proposed ordinance targeting undocumented immigrants.

In an e-mail message, Carpentersville President Bill Sarto threatened to remove the measure’s two sponsors from the village’s finance committee.

He says the prospect of discrimination lawsuits would hurt the town’s bond rating and hike insurance costs.

“If they wish to pursue this, I will follow through and remove them from the committee. And in doing so I will be protecting the best interest of the village,” The Village President warned.

Sarto gave trustees Paul Humpfer and Judy Sigwalt until Thursday evening to withdraw their proposal.

Sigwalt says she’ll do no such thing and might sue the president.

The measure would penalize employers and landlords of undocumented immigrants, and English would become the town’s official language.

Thousands of opponents rallied outside a Carpentersville board meeting last week.

The board postponed debate until a bigger meeting place could be arranged.

But today Sarto said the village can’t find such a venue.