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March 28, 2024

Naperville Park District Compensating Commissioners and Their Families

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On March 14, 2015

NAPERVILLE, IL. (ECWd) –

At some point, public bodies must be held accountable for their actions.

Take the Naperville Park District as an example. The Park District Code specifically states that commissioners shall serve without compensation. Does that statement really need further defining or interpretation?

According to their policy manual, this Park District made a policy specifically designed to violate state law. Not only do they give themselves and their family members compensation while they are commissioners, they give themselves and their family members compensation for the rest of their lives. Do they not even bother to read the very statute that provides for their oath of office to faithfully discharge their duties?

To the Park District Commissioners: If you truly did not know this was wrong, you can demonstrate that by immediately revoking your policy and Appendix D to the policy. Please read the email I sent you.

Park District Code:

 (70 ILCS 1205/4-1) (from Ch. 105, par. 4-1)
Sec. 4-1. Each member of the governing board of any park district before entering upon the duties of his office shall take and subscribe an oath to well and faithfully discharge his duties, which oath shall be filed with the secretary of said board. The members of such governing board shall constitute the corporate authority for such district and a majority of such members shall constitute a quorum for said board at any meeting thereof. The members of such governing boards shall act as such without compensation, and each member of the board shall be a legal voter of and reside within such district.
(Source: Laws 1951, p. 113.)

Naperville Park District Policy:

5.7.2 Restrictions Seated and Former Commissioners, and eligible family members, may use park district programs and facilities per the Policy set forth in Appendix D. A Commissioner shall not use a park district facility or participate in a Park District program if such use or participation will have the effect of excluding a paying resident or nonresident user. Appendix D (below) charts out the compensation:

[gview file=”https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/NapervilleParkDistrictCommissionerBenefitsAppendixD.pdf” save=”1″]

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3 Comments
  • sandy gray
    Posted at 09:48h, 14 March

    Why do those people that hold office have the mind set that they can do whatever they want and will not be held accountable? But let us not forget this is in the area of Cook County, do I detect a little of the gangster era coming through with the behavior of many of those in authority? The unscrupulous public officials everywhere, need to know that they are being observed and being called on the mat for their actions or inactions. We, the people, need to lay the hammer down and tell them that if they do not behave they will be removed from office ASAP or at next election. ECWD and IL. Leaks, I for one commend you for your work in keeping us informed. Thank you.

  • Chris M. Gaines
    Posted at 03:36h, 15 March

    Thank you for exposing this type of information about our public servants, who obviously think the law doesn’t apply to them. Hopefully, these criminals will be heldaaccountable for their actions.

  • Lisle Watchdog
    Posted at 20:57h, 16 March

    Lisle Łibrary by-laws:

    “Upon election, Trustees are exempt from payments of fines and fees providing that the privledge is not abused ….. trustees may also order Łibrary materials for personal use at a discount through the Łibrary. ”
    http://www.lislelibrary.org/sites/default/files/assets/POLICY%20200%20LLD%20by-laws.pdf

    State Law (75 ILCS 16/30-30)
    Sec. 30-30. Compensation of trustees. Trustees shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed from district funds for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
    (Source: P.A. 87-1277.)

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