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January 22, 2021

feature, IL State Reps, Venice School District

Cullen L. Cullen - Another Constitutional Violation -

BY JOHN KRAFT & KIRK ALLEN

ON October 7, 2014

VENICE, IL. (ECWd) -

When reading through the Venice School District's Financial Oversight Panel meeting minutes, I came across this gem of an illegal expenditure blessed by Sup. Cullen:

NEW BUSINESS – AUGUST 18, 2011 BOE REGULAR MEETING

"There was a question regarding a payment for funeral flowers. Dr. Cullen explained that it was a relative of two board members. The FOP requested that a policy regarding funeral flowers be written and presented to both the Venice BOE and FOP for approval next month. Unanimously passed by voice vote."

This is from the Financial Oversight Panel - who themselves must not adhere to the law either.

Most important is that Sup. Cullen actually tried to explain away the use of public funds in direct violation of the Constitution of the State of Illinois. Under his supervision, frivolous spending continued without regard to its public use.

While we do sympathize with those who have lost loved ones, flowers for these situations should still be paid for with personal funds, not public funds. Do they buy flowers for everyone in the District? Is this not considered "compensation" to board members - it most certainly is receiving something of monetary value based solely on their board member status.

Anyway, the creation of a policy to somehow make lawful an act which itself is not lawful is considered unconstitutional as stated in this United States Supreme Court decision from 211 years ago (1803). Therefore, In light of Illinois Constitution, Art. VIII, Sec. 1 (a), (b) we know from Marbury v. Madison, 1803, that "All laws repugnant to the Constitution are null and void."

So, the flowers were not for a public purpose consistent with Sec. 1 (a) & (b), and any rule, ordinance or other fiat the Board may have passed, it would by it's very nature be in conflict with the Illinois Constitution and accordingly, null and void.
This is just another example of foolishly spending public funds, and from a School District that was under the Financial Oversight Panel.

 

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