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March 28, 2024

Arcola Township Supervisor lies to Sen. Chapin Rose and Rep. Adam Brown –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On March 21, 2015

ARCOLA, IL. (ECWd) –

That’s right, Mr. John G. (Corky) Clark sent a letter to Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose and Illinois State Representative Adam Brown in which he proceeded to fabricate, misstate, exaggerate, or what we would simply call: LIE.

He starts out complaining about the “great hardship”  dealing with us while failing to mention their refusal to provide public records when requested.

He stated that Kirk Allen and I had sent 40-plus FOIA requests (as of the date of the letter), which is another lie. I guess if their attorney can lie to a Judge (article here), Corky Clark figured he could just make the number bigger and lie to Chapin Rose and Adam Brown.

He then tries to tie our FOIA requesting with some TIF extension that we were not even aware of, let alone attempting to help extend, since the example of TIF expenditures provided in our own local town of Paris, Illinois is enough to sour anyone on the prospect of TIF districts. So, lie number 3 in his attempt at connecting us with some “local group” promoting TIF.

Next he states the Township had to hire an attorney, even though the attorney lied to a different Judge claiming to be an employee already (article here). They didn’t hire an attorney, they already had one on a contractual basis (meaning not an employee).

Clark also states they do their “level best” to comply with FOIA requests and no matter what they send we are not satisfied. This is laughable at best, since they are still covering up their theft of public credit. I suggest they actually send the public records asked for, and to quit attempting to re-phrase a request for records as a question, then denying it based on being a question. Oh, and he forgets this attorney has stated that “transparency is a ridiculous word” when referencing FOIA and public records.

Then he shows his absolute ignorance of the law when he claims it is simply a scheme by us to make money. Mr. Clark, there is no money to be made in suing for public records and we would be happy if you would simply provide the records requested.

For the record, one of our first articles (here) on Arcola Township shows how the Township Secretary used the Township credit card to purchase fuel on a four state Harley-Davidson cruise, on a holiday weekend – which is felony misapplication of public funds and a Constitutional violation (Article VIII, Section 1(a)). Theft is a better name for it.

In a future article, I will show all of the invoices from Mark Petty to the township so everyone can see just how much money this township has spent since early in 2013 trying to avoid producing public records…and it is not over yet.

[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ArcolaSupervisorLiesToSenator.pdf”]

 

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27 Comments
  • ECWDogs
    Posted at 13:15h, 21 March

    Arcola Township Supervisor lies to Sen. Chapin Rose and Rep. Adam Brown – http://t.co/S6si8cevz3

  • ilnewswatch
    Posted at 13:36h, 21 March

    Arcola Township Supervisor lies to Sen. Chapin Rose and Rep. Adam Brown – http://t.co/3fR6pBHPPs

  • ilnewswatch
    Posted at 13:52h, 21 March

    Arcola Township Supervisor lies to Sen. Chapin Rose and Rep. Adam Brown – http://t.co/Fe95WQ4brE

  • Jerry
    Posted at 21:55h, 21 March

    Though I’ve heard a lot of Republican opposition to Rauner’ proposal to end townships, the ongoing corruption happening here makes me wonder whether it might not be so bad to be rid of them once and for all

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 21:57h, 21 March

      There just needs to be a better way to force production of public records.

  • ajlovescubs
    Posted at 00:44h, 22 March

    Arcola Township Supervisor lies to Sen. Chapin Rose and Rep. Adam Brown – http://t.co/NJetplaTwr

  • Unhappy Taxpayer
    Posted at 07:23h, 22 March

    Corky(John Clark)did not write this letter Mr. Kraft Deana sent the letter.This is an attempt to cover her butt knowing she’s been caught,besides Corky hasn’t done anything on his own since becoming Supervisor without her permission.Looks like they are a little worried.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 07:40h, 22 March

      The response from the Township was that this was Clark’s letter to Chapin Rose and that he also sent the same one to Adam Brown. While there is nothing wrong with letters to your representatives, I would expect a public body to at least be truthful in their representations in the letter.

  • Mike Rekart
    Posted at 08:38h, 22 March

    When they practice to deceive and not be transparent by default this is the type of attention they get. These records belong to the public by default, make a policy asking all FOIA officers to better work towards making releasing of public records more accessible. In Illinois all records are “presumed” public unless lawfully exempted and even in that case, the burden falls onto the public body to prove the exemption.

  • Dog Walker
    Posted at 11:32h, 22 March

    Mike,since your not from here you may not understand this group from Arcola Township.The Township Board under the Dicatorship of Queen Deana don’t believe anyone has a right to “their public records”.Corky’s crying about “drowing” in FOIA request’s is laughable.If they fully answered the requests from FOIA and didn’t try to hide the truth,their workload would be much lighter.

  • doug
    Posted at 14:03h, 22 March

    Thoughtful of you to give out Corky’s cell phone number.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 14:19h, 22 March

      Thoughtful of the Township to not redact it — but I’m guessing it is a Township cell phone number or something like that, which is why they left it in there.

  • offended
    Posted at 14:43h, 22 March

    This letter certainly shows Corky’ s ignorance. He knows, as well as everyone else, this started when they changed the rules of last election. It has nothing to do with TIF. Their long list of illegal spending of township funds has finally been made public but they continue to blame everything on everyone else. Corky does about as good of job as Supervisor as he does managing his properties. I certainly hope Chapin Rose and Adam Brown do a little investigating into Corky’ s claims. If they do, it might be the township’ s downfall. Keep on it Watchdogs!

  • Lake Lady
    Posted at 18:04h, 22 March

    Of coarse it goes back to the last election,anybody willing to admit it knows Deana’s fingerprints were all over the running of it.They have been so corrupt so long it’s become second nature to them,and not getting away with it never ocurred to them.I’m sure Chapin Rose and Adam Brown won’t be drug down by this outfit,they are surely smarter than that.

  • sign off
    Posted at 04:51h, 23 March

    did anybody notice Deana didn’t sign the letter?Corky couldn’t,he didn’t send it!

  • Blind Follower
    Posted at 07:41h, 23 March

    I read on a facebook acct from Fari Shafer she thinks someone is paying the watchdogs to ruin Arcola Township.. Now if we would all just stop and think a little, if the township would just give out the public records that these guys want, and by the way which everyone has the right to see. What is the big deal about showing how they have spent our money unless they are trying to hide more than just the motorcycle trip. It is not a big deal to look up on the internet all of those bills and just punch a button and print. that should not take a $100,000. dollar a year secretary very long to do.So what is the need for a lawyer. Anyway Fari it does not look like the township needs any help, it is ruining itself. After all it takes two lies to cover up the first one and we have lost count!

  • Sick of it all....
    Posted at 11:21h, 23 March

    You shouldn’t have to FORCE production of PUBLIC records, if they are doing their jobs and doing it lawfully and ethically. That’s the sad part, that this has gotten to the stage where you have to FORCE your elected officials to do their jobs, and even then, they don’t do it!! They just cost the taxpayers more and more!! Time to do something taxpayers!!!

  • Broomcorn Joni
    Posted at 11:23h, 23 March

    Fari if your worried about the Township going to ruin I’d be more concerned with a $100,000.00 secretary taking a 4 state pleasure trip on Harley’s using Arcola Township credit cards.Fari,honestly ask yourself–is that OK?

  • I Remember
    Posted at 17:28h, 23 March

    Sick of it all I remember Clerk Coombe saying of Township Information “it depends on who deserves the information”,remember that arrogant statement?I agree with your post,and I’ll say this,that letter to Springfield shows how desperate they are getting.GO DOGS!

  • Just wondering
    Posted at 17:54h, 23 March

    Fari Shafer why is it that you would not want to see where your tax dollars are spent sure hope there isn’t something in those records you would not want anyone to see. Is there more that you know that your not telling . Someone defending a taxing body that has already used credit cards illegally seems a bit suspicious to most. If there is nothing else why pay a lawyer to not let any of this surface

  • High Rider
    Posted at 07:29h, 24 March

    I wouldn’t worry about Fari Bell to much,she’s just repeating what what she’s been told.Fari’s not about to question Mark or Deana remember,Mark use to work for Larry.Besides that puppet board of trustees doesn’t ask questions,why would she?

  • Penpal
    Posted at 17:20h, 24 March

    Since Corky has gotten Chapin Rose and Adam Brown intrested in the goings on here in Arcola,wouldn’t it be helpfull for them to receive information on exactly what the Arcola Township Board has been up to,or not up to.Hey Corky,that kinda stuff works both ways!

  • Convenient
    Posted at 07:11h, 25 March

    Watch Dogs they are starting to crack over here. Joey Hackler has told the township that he is going to Springfield to work for the governor maybe the kitchen is a little to hot here. Everyone is pretty sure the secretary already has an a list for her hand picked replacement. Probably starting with our ex county sheriff Charlie Mcgrew after all he did help with the last election to get Joey in there

  • offended
    Posted at 09:06h, 25 March

    Convenient, they are not starting to crack. They think they are above the state statutes for Townships. Joey never intended to complete a term. This was just the first rung on his arrogant climb in the political forum. I say, good riddance. Let Springfield have him. Our gain, their lose. Bye bye, Joey!!!

  • ground swell
    Posted at 15:05h, 25 March

    Charlie Mcgrew would fit right in with this township board,after all he was very instrumental in getting these guys elected.Everybody remembers how he ramroded the last republican cacus,running it just the way Deana set it up.Joey was in way over his head anyway,the only thing he proved as a trustee was he couldn’t debate someone face to face,it had to be thru a computer.

  • Purple Raider
    Posted at 07:13h, 27 March

    I read in the paper where the Firemen are having there banquet tonight,does anyone know if Deana is checking at the door?Or maybe she will have Charlie run the event,he’s got a history of doing what he’s told.

  • Lake Lady
    Posted at 08:10h, 28 March

    Reading an article posted about Bloomington not answering FOIA’s and a lady named Diane Benjamin sueing and winning gives me hope that Arcola Township will be held accountable.She has proven by using the court system that taxing bodies like Arcola Township must be open with ALL of their records.Great job Diane,come visit us in Arcola sometime.Oh and by the way,Arcola Township Office address is 108 E. Main,the door with the fancy lock.

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