Poplar Grove, Ill. (ECWd) –
We have previously reported on former Poplar Grove Village President Owen Costanza‘s continued use of the title of President of the Village of Poplar Grove on his Facebook account and his email address. He is currently an elected village trustee, not the village president.
Residents noticed last week that Costanza drove his Cadilac to the city council meeting, parked in the fire lane, and sported “Mayor” license plates.
Later they drove past his house and took photos of the same vehicle in his driveway sporting the “Mayor” license plate.
A complaint was filed on May 9, 2024, with the Secretary of State Police alleging Costanza is unlawfully displaying a “Mayor” license plate when he has not been the village president since 2021, and that he is required to certify his status each and every year he renews a “Mayor” license plate. Costanza is required, according to the Sec of State, to surrender the “Mayor” license plate the instance he is no longer holding that office.
We have filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Secretary of State for his renewal applications and attestation of his status upon renewal of the “Mayor” license plates.
Improper attestation to obtain a specific license plate could result in consequences for Costanza.
Our experience with the Secretary of State Police is that they are fairly swift at taking action – they took action with the unlawful Thornton Township police license plates within days of receiving our complaint.
2 Comments
John K
Posted at 00:05h, 13 MayOn the Mayor Plate Application Form bottom it seems one can use the “Random Numbers … Request Form” to apply for a “Random Number” license plate. Know CMS issues them to agencies with a “valid reason” where it looks like a regular plate (not an “U” plate) but an inquiry identifies CMS as the owner. Believe they’re called “Standard Plates” … can Mayors / Village Presidents get the same thing?
Droopy: Master Sergeant
Posted at 17:52h, 12 MayWonder when this guy will simply go away? He is a typical Illinois politician who could not survive except for taxpayer money that pays him to do nothing!
Oh wait, pays him to enrich himself and others. Disgusting!