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ACT NOW - PLEASE ELECTRONICALLY SIGN THE PETITION BELOW. (your information will not be used for any other purpose.)
PETITION FOR REVIEW AND ACTION BY WINNEBAGO COUNTY STATES ATTORNEY JOE BRUSCATO
Dear Joe Bruscato – States Attorney, Winnebago County, Illinois
The Roscoe Township Clerk, from at least 2009 – 2017, was paid $5000 per year salary for the elected position. The Roscoe Township Clerk was additionally employed and compensated approximately $37,000 additionally, annually. The records attached, obtained under the Illinois FOI Act, demonstrate that the Roscoe Township Clerk was also paid for at least 3 other positions simultaneously during her tenure as Township Clerk. This position was being paid additionally for Office Manager, Assessors Staff and General Township, Assessor bereavement pay, Assessor Vacation Time, holiday time, sick time and contributions towards IMRF pension; none of which are legally afforded to the elected official above the elected salary.
This matter and concern detailed in the attached petition was initially brought to the Illinois Attorney General’s office. After reviewing our concerns, we were directed to contact our County State’s Attorney’s office as “That office would appear to have primary jurisdiction in this matter.” The AG further stated that your office can determine if a statute or binding legal opinion had been violated. This direction came from Mike Matulis, Director, Constituent Services, Illinois Attorney General, 217-782-9394.
Also contacted was Bryan E. Smith, Executive Director, Township Officials of Illinois, 217-744-2212,
Springfield, Illinois 62702. Mr. Smith confirmed that a Clerk, or any other elected township official, cannot also be employed by the township and be compensated. Mr. Smith advised to seek further review by the County States Attorney’s Office.
Further contacted was Senator Dave Syverson. Mr. Syverson communicated that he “had conversations with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Illinois Senate Legal Staff and the Illinois Township Officials Organization. All three, in their opinion, have stated that the Neal Hartigan legal opinion stands. They believe, as I do, that the statute and interpretation are clear – that an elected township official, including township clerks, cannot be employed by the Township and be compensated. Furthermore, the TOI has stated that, outside the recent case in Roscoe, they are not aware of any other time when this ruling has been abused. Because every other Township in Illinois seems to be aware of and follows this statute, I am surprised this was allowed to occur.”
Please review the attached petition and documents seeking your office’s determination for what may be statute or other legal violations of public official(s) which resulted in a misuse of taxpayer funds.
The petition is to seek the States Attorney’s Office of Winnebago County unbiased review of the collective petitioners’ concerns regarding possible statute violations by public officials which may have resulted in illegal, corrupt or fraudulent use of significant taxpayer funds. We seek redress of our concern and your office’s determination on this matter as suggested by the Director, Constituent Services, Illinois Attorney General, and by the Executive Director, Township Officials of Illinois and Senator Dave Syverson.
As a Signed Petitioner and victim, I am exercising my Constitutional First Amendment right to petition the Winnebago States Attorney’s Office for a full review and redress of the concerns listed above.
***See 2012 Payroll sample for Elected Roscoe Township Clerk Pat Zintak, (all other records are attached.)***
Dear Joe Bruscato – States Attorney, Winnebago County, Illinois
The Roscoe Township Clerk, from at least 2009 – 2017, was paid $5000 per year salary for the elected position. The Roscoe Township Clerk was additionally employed and compensated approximately $37,000 additionally, annually. The records attached, obtained under the Illinois FOI Act, demonstrate that the Roscoe Township Clerk was also paid for at least 3 other positions simultaneously during her tenure as Township Clerk. This position was being paid additionally for Office Manager, Assessors Staff and General Township, Assessor bereavement pay, Assessor Vacation Time, holiday time, sick time and contributions towards IMRF pension; none of which are legally afforded to the elected official above the elected salary.
- From Year 2009-2017, The Roscoe Township Clerk was paid approximately $290,000.00 above the Clerks authorized and legal elected Salary.
This matter and concern detailed in the attached petition was initially brought to the Illinois Attorney General’s office. After reviewing our concerns, we were directed to contact our County State’s Attorney’s office as “That office would appear to have primary jurisdiction in this matter.” The AG further stated that your office can determine if a statute or binding legal opinion had been violated. This direction came from Mike Matulis, Director, Constituent Services, Illinois Attorney General, 217-782-9394.
Also contacted was Bryan E. Smith, Executive Director, Township Officials of Illinois, 217-744-2212,
Springfield, Illinois 62702. Mr. Smith confirmed that a Clerk, or any other elected township official, cannot also be employed by the township and be compensated. Mr. Smith advised to seek further review by the County States Attorney’s Office.
Further contacted was Senator Dave Syverson. Mr. Syverson communicated that he “had conversations with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Illinois Senate Legal Staff and the Illinois Township Officials Organization. All three, in their opinion, have stated that the Neal Hartigan legal opinion stands. They believe, as I do, that the statute and interpretation are clear – that an elected township official, including township clerks, cannot be employed by the Township and be compensated. Furthermore, the TOI has stated that, outside the recent case in Roscoe, they are not aware of any other time when this ruling has been abused. Because every other Township in Illinois seems to be aware of and follows this statute, I am surprised this was allowed to occur.”
Please review the attached petition and documents seeking your office’s determination for what may be statute or other legal violations of public official(s) which resulted in a misuse of taxpayer funds.
The petition is to seek the States Attorney’s Office of Winnebago County unbiased review of the collective petitioners’ concerns regarding possible statute violations by public officials which may have resulted in illegal, corrupt or fraudulent use of significant taxpayer funds. We seek redress of our concern and your office’s determination on this matter as suggested by the Director, Constituent Services, Illinois Attorney General, and by the Executive Director, Township Officials of Illinois and Senator Dave Syverson.
As a Signed Petitioner and victim, I am exercising my Constitutional First Amendment right to petition the Winnebago States Attorney’s Office for a full review and redress of the concerns listed above.
***See 2012 Payroll sample for Elected Roscoe Township Clerk Pat Zintak, (all other records are attached.)***
