Cook County Cook County Jack Weber, who was convicted for County Assessor's Office The BGA assisted members of the news media in their probe of the County Assessor's office. The disclosures resulted in a State Senate Committee investigation and a promise by local political leaders to enact new reforms in this vital office. (Note: Borrie Kantor, a former Deputy Tax Assessor, was found guilty of accepting bribes and official misconduct in Criminal Court on December 9, 1970. The arrest of Kantor on March 6, 1969 initiated the major investigation of the County Assessor's office by a Federal Grand Jury, federal investigative agencies and various news media in Chicago. Kantor's conviction followed testimony by William Recktenwald and Roland Restle, BGA Investigators. Kantor's arrest came during an investigation by the BGA in which Kantor accepted $500 to reduce the personal property assessment of a Northbrook company by $3,000 a year.) Study of Township To assist the Delegates of the Constitutional Convention, we completed a six month study of the conduct of Cook County township government. We found that there were widespread instances of township government rendering services such as road and highway maintenance, public assistance and tax commission which were duplicative of functions which could better be performed at the county level. In many instances minimal services were rendered at high cost to the taxpayer. We also found that failure to invest township funds was costing taxpayers of Cook County approximately $25 million dollars per year. Sanchez Case At the request of the family of a young man who was shot and killed by a security guard, the BGA reopened the case after the Cook County State's Attorney's office failed to respond to the request of the family. The State's Attorney's office said they were unable to locate key witnesses. However, these witnesses were readily located by the BGA. The family was not notified of the State's Attorney's decision to accept a reduced plea until the BGA examined the court record and notified the family. Union Organization of We found that several hundred Cook County Forest Preserve workers were forced to join a local union. These workers were directed to join the union as a condition of their employment. The benefits they receive from the union are virtually nonexistent. Cook County Jail A Cook County Jail welfare fund was found to be spending thousands of dollars for items not in keeping with the purpose of the fund. The BGA investigation of the jail commissary also found that the fund's finances were in jeopardy and jail personnel were receiving up to $45 a day in addition to their county wages for working at the commissary. The Illinois Department of Corrections, in a later review of the jail operations, suggested that the commissary should be overhauled and stricter county methods adopted. Cook County State's Attorney Our investigations have disclosed bungling and inefficiency in the operation of this office. We have reviewed the budget and assignment of personnel and we are continuing our review of this office which will result in recommendations to place its operations on a professional basis. Will County Sheriff We disclosed. wide-open gambling in Will County that had not been acted upon. BGA investigators made wagers in the largest bookmaking establishment in the county and cooperated with Illinois State Police to close the gambling joints and in making arrests. Stickney Township An earlier BGA investigation disclosed that the Township Supervisor and Village Attorney vacated 43,000 feet of Township land which was then acquired by a business entity in which the Supervisor and Village Attorney had an interest. The new Village officials have petitioned the Cook County State's Attorney to take action in this case. Illinois Crime Investigating The Better Government Association investigated the activities of the Illinois Crime Investigating Commission and found that the former chief investigator for the Commission had received a substantial personal loan from a person closely connected to reputed juice racketeers. Other irregularities of the Crime Commission were investigated, including the case of Mayor Antonio Pizza of Calumet Park. Mr Pizza was indicted and convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery. A re-examination of the evidence arrayed by Crime Commission agents came to the conclusion that a number of inconsistencies existed. Further investigation showed that a key witness, who would have testified on behalf of Mr. Pizza, had been threatened by an Assistant State's Attorney. At our insistence, the State's Attorney requested the Attorney General to file a confession of error. The BGA action in this case was supported by editorial comment by the news media throughout the state. District 89 Ghost voting, balloting by the dead, forgery and other irregularities were disclosed in a BGA investigation into the School Board election for District 89 which includes Melrose Park, Maywood and Broadview. Investigation also found that companies run by associates of a crime syndicate chieftain were doing considerable business with the west suburban school district. Much of the business with the gang-associated firms in Melrose Park was done without competitive bidding. Information concerning this probe was turned over to the State's Attorney's office. Confidence Game Exposed BGA investigators, Skokie police, and the State Department of Labor worked together to expose persons posing as state factory inspectors and soliciting donations. The investigation resulted in the arrest of one man and charges against him of deceptive practices. Morton College Board Three Directors and the business manager went on a junket at public expense. We have made recommendations that require submission of detailed vouchers for similar trips by school officials. The College Board entered into a $250,000 contract for the remodelling of new facilities for the college. Our investigation disclosed that the contract should not have exceeded $190,000. In addition, there were a number of irregularities in the bidding procedure. In a continuing investigation of the Morton Junior College Board, we disclosed that one Board member had made arrangements with suppliers of equipment purchased by the school to provide him with special discounts for his private use. In one case, the Board member refused to pay a substantial balance owed on private purchases made by him from one of the school suppliers. We recommended that the Board take action to remove this member from the Board. The Board member subsequently submitted his resignation. Village of Schaumburg As a follow-up to a 1967 BGA investigation, it was found that the Public Works Director of the Village of Schaumburg had improperly purchased items in excess of $7,000 with state motor fuel tax funds. Because of these improper disbursements, the finding of an audit requires reimbursement of these funds by the village to the state. State Security Guards A number of state agencies failed to comply with a state law requiring a report of security guards employed by these agencies. By urging that this report be made, it is hoped that state payrolls will be reduced by eliminating a significant number of unneeded security guard positions. State Department of We disclosed that a state pilot employed by the Department of Public Works Highway Division had operated a twin-engine plane owned by the state as a private taxi. The pilot was suspended and required to repay the state for expenses incurred for his private use of the plane. We made our recommendations to the Legislative Audit Commission which suggested that uniform regulations be established that would apply to use of all state aircraft. State Junkets Three top State Highway officials spent a business vacation in Puerto Rico which was paid for by a state highway contractors' organization. A suggested change in the State Code of Ethics was made which would prevent state employees from accepting such gratuities or paid vacations. State Civil Service A state employee was found to be distributing advance copies of civil service examinations. The employee was fired and the method of handling examinations has been reorganized. |