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March 28, 2024

NIU Official dials wrong number – leaves message on getting around procurement code –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On April 26, 2015

DeKalb, IL. (ECWd) –

Mistakes can be costly!

On May 15, 2014, Bill Nichlas called from an NIU phone number to talk to “Ralph” – or he thought he called Ralph – and left a message on a cell phone that appears to be discussions on how to go around the Illinois Procurement Code, you know, because it is too much of a hassle to follow the law…

Below is the audio recording from the voice mail he mistakenly left on someone else’s phone, and in it you can hear Bill Nicklas, Vice President of Administration, explaining to vendor that the vendor could use open orders to avoid “the harsh constraints of the public procurement system.”

Partial transcript of phone message: “One little bit of a down here. The possible is no longer being asked and is nearly impossible. Somehow we need to get you into an “open order status” because that’s the way that we can off-set some of the harsh constraints in the Illinois Procurement System”.

We figured this would be a good place to start, and will build on this voice mail in future articles in reference to Northern Illinois University and their procurement practices, among other things.

Enjoy!

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14 Comments
  • ECWDogs
    Posted at 20:52h, 26 April

    NIU Official dials wrong number – leaves message on getting around procurement code – http://t.co/3qbeU96spQ

  • SafeLibraries
    Posted at 20:56h, 26 April

    “@ECWDogs: NIU Official dials wrong number – leaves message on getting around procurement code – http://t.co/GLhmU0nBQd” @NIUlive #highered

  • SafeLibraries
    Posted at 20:56h, 26 April

    Is EVERY public body in Illinois corrupt?

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 20:59h, 26 April

      We don’t know, we haven’t looked at all of them yet…

      • Chris M. Gaines
        Posted at 07:09h, 27 April

        Why haven’t you looked at all of them yet is the question remaining I got for you. How about you re-focus your attention back on Coles County and Charleston and Mattoon specifically? Lots of easily verified evidence of public corruption to write about here in our county obviously. It’s a goldmine of stories for a investigative journalists like yourself. You need any help, let me know and I can point you in the right direction John. Have a nice day today. Thanks again.

    • CheriRN7
      Posted at 18:32h, 12 May

      This is why the state is financially busted!

  • IllinoisCitize1
    Posted at 21:18h, 26 April

    NIU Official dials wrong number – leaves message on getting around procurement code – http://t.co/mu9R1QGtv6

  • IllinoisCitize1
    Posted at 21:19h, 26 April

    RT @ECWDogs: NIU Official dials wrong number – leaves message on getting around procurement code – http://t.co/3qbeU96spQ

  • Bessie Chronopoulos
    Posted at 08:22h, 27 April

    Seems as if “Ralph” is an engineer? That’s what I’m concluding from the tape. Was this call to someone in DeKalb? If so, I may know who “Ralph” is.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 08:35h, 27 April

      Yes, it was a call to another DeKalb phone number,

  • SadiesMom
    Posted at 15:23h, 27 April

    It appears that Nichlas was thinking of circumventing the State Procurement process. Surely, that couldn’t be.

  • Dave D K Kolars
    Posted at 16:26h, 13 December

    Oh, this would be the guy who is scheduled to become the next DeKalb City Manager at next City Council meeting, Dec 18th… Hmmm???

    • Mike Haji-Sheikh
      Posted at 18:35h, 15 December

      Of course – DeKalb is vying to be the most corrupt city in DeKalb.

  • Mike Haji-Sheikh
    Posted at 18:34h, 15 December

    Bill Nicklas is back in business in DeKalb.

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