By Thomas Gorman
Taxpayers, please take note of a unique court case, 21-MR-992. It is open to the public and the next Hearing is set for 1:30-2:30 p.m. June 16, in Peoria County Courtroom 203. The County Auditor is asking for relief (court order, mandate) in a 12-count complaint. The irony is that the Peoria County Board and State’s Attorney Prosecutor are now on the defensive as defendants.
In 2021, the Board voted and took three employees away from the elected County Auditor and transferred duties to the Finance Dept. Is this legal? I don’t think so. Ethical? A good way to solve problems? Is it to save tax money? I say no, no, and no. It seems like the Board and county officials don’t want to be second-guessed on spending of taxpayer money.
There was a voter referendum in 2018 and citizens voted to keep the auditor as an elected position and a solid “Check & Balance” on our government. Peoria has had an auditor for many decades. Unfortunately, Illinois is well known for corruption in government and getting rid of an auditor or her staff does not instill confidence in our local government.
It seems to me like the Board, led by Mr. Rand and Mr. Fennell, persuaded or got “buy-in” from County Administrator Mr. Sorrel and County Prosecutor Ms. Hoos to work against Auditor Ms. Thomas who has a Master of Business Administration degree. Accusations against Ms. Thomas range from nothing (right-sizing the office, shifting priorities, automation) to misspending and mismanaging her office.
Note that the (possibly defamatory) allegations were not done “under oath” but as “free speech” where people are allowed to say most anything. Are the allegations true red flags or red herrings? Is there a hidden motive? Maybe.
- Illinois has official duties for an auditor by statute (law).
- In 1991, Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris wrote a legal opinion to then-Peoria County State’s Attorney (now Judge Lyons) explaining that the auditor has certain functions set by law and a Board should not interfere. A.G. Burris further referenced a 1984 legal opinion by previous Illinois A.G. Hartigan.
- In 2016, Auditor Carol VanWinkle won reelection but then resigned because the Board slashed her budget.
- It seems like the same gameplan by the Board in 2021, but with a different outcome. Ms. Thomas is going up against very powerful people, but does seem to have a legitimate case.
- Citizens voted in 2018 to keep an elected auditor (and, I assume, properly funded office).
Note that Mr. Lyons hired Ms. Hoos and served as a mentor. Ms. Hoos became a judge and is now the state’s attorney, who I would argue is the most powerful person in the county because she decides who to prosecute to send to prison and who to leave alone. I believe Board Chairman Mr. Rand was a leading voice to select Ms. Hoos as the current state’s attorney and then contributed to her subsequent election.
The lawyers for the defendants (Ms. Hoos and subordinates in her office) claim there is no case here — it is meritless, frivolous. Nothing to see? Sweep it under the rug?
My analysis is derived from Mechanical Engineering training at Bradley University, my professional career and from many life experiences. I believe this is a serious case and has wide-ranging consequences. Let’s seek the real, actual truth without favor or bias.
The case was filed on November 15, 2021 and has barely moved forward. The defendants’ lawyers seem to keep putting up roadblocks and pretending that Ms. Thomas is wasting public funds when they are, in fact, using (wasting) public funds and tying up (wasting) resources. The defense strategy seems to be blame, blame, blame.
The Board needs better decision makers. Heddington Oaks was a large money loser for taxpayers. The Board punishing the auditor is another horrible decision. I believe Ms. Hoos should reconsider her position as an adversary to Ms. Thomas. Both Ms. Hoos’ and Ms. Thomas’ reputations are on the line. If the Board made foolish errors, be independent, and correct your position. Doubling down on mistakes is not the way to live. Learning from mistakes and correcting mistakes is an essential part of a good life.
I am open-minded and available to talk with current and former Board members, auditors, attorneys, whistleblowers, concerned citizens via The Community Word’s Mr. Ludwig. I say let’s figure out what happened, understand people’s motives, and get to the truth.