CAPRON, IL. (ECWd) –
Capron taxpayers: Look at what you paid for.
The Village of Capron, Illinois, located in Boone County, held a Christmas party for village officers. It is unclear if employees were invited.
As part of the expenses, the village purchased the following alcohol according to the receipt:
- Sam Adams Lager – 12 pack
- Shiner Bock – 12 pack
- Lite Beer – 24 pack
- Truly Punch Hard Seltzer – 12 pack
- Truly tropical Hard Seltzer – 12 pack
- P Vella Chablis – 5 Liters
- Bud Light – 24 pack
What public purpose do 96 beers and 34 glasses of wine serve?
During the December 14, 2021, board meeting this was on the list for reimbursement to the Village President (see page 4).
We asked the Village President Steven Bank for comment, but he has not responded as of this publication.
In our email to Bank, we asked if he thought it was a good idea to make the taxpayer buy alcohol for the party, pointed out the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act specifically prohibits reimbursements for entertainment purposes (Section 25), and if that Act did not apply, we asked him what other law permitted such purchases.
We also asked if though it might be a good idea to repay the taxpayers for these alcohol expenses.