Bill Thomas, Dale Colaw Submitted False Information To Secretary Of State –

Atlanta, Ill. (ECWd) –

After its business was dissolved by the Illinois Secretary of State for not filing the annual report, WM “Bill” Thomas as the Registered Agent of the Logan County Economic Development Partnership (“LCEDP”) filed, or caused to be filed, new paperwork for reinstatement of a not-for-profit corporation on September 16, 2024.

In doing so, Thomas provided false information to the Secretary of State, mainly his address 114 SW Arch Street as the Registered Agent’s address.

The 114 SW Archer Street address belongs to the Atlanta Public Library District.

We asked the library district if they permitted the LCEDP to use that building or address, and they responded in writing that the LCEDC does not use that address.

Thomas knows that also, since he used to be a library district board member.

Dale Colaw, another former library district board member, signed the application under penalties of perjury attesting to its accuracy: “The undersigned corporation has caused this application to be signed by a duly authorized officer, who affirms, under penalty of perjury, that the facts stated herein are true.”

Additionally, and on the same day, the LCEDP also filed an annual report listing the Registered Agent as Bill Thomas with the Registered Office as 114 SW Arch Street.

Dale Colaw digitally signed this annual report, under penalties of perjury: “Under the penalty of perjury and as an authorized officer, I declare that this annual report, pursuant to provisions of the General Not for Profit Corporation Act, has been examined by me and is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, correct and complete.”

The reason the address in question is critical is that is how papers get sent to or served upon the registered agent of the corporation:

“Registered office” means that office maintained by the corporation in this State, the address of which is on file in the office of the Secretary of State, at which any process, notice or demand required or permitted by law may be served upon the registered agent of the corporation.

We believe both Thomas and Colaw knew the 114 SW Archer address was false, and they knowingly submitted both signed reports.

According to ProPublica, Bill Thomas was paid $50,000 in 2023 as the LCEDP Executive Director.

The Logan County Economic Development Partnership should immediately submit corrected reports to the Secretary of State, noting the actual address of the Registered Agent.