Like 'Speeders' Village Board Needs to 'Fight Back' Conflicts of Interest
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The Oak Lawn Village Board must immediately adopt a formal policy of 100% transparency of government. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed before items are voted on at Village Board meetings. Elected officials must NEVER use their office or public resources for personal enrichment.
I have recently received information from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests that reveal yet another blatant and astounding misuse of public funds for the personal and financial gain of our Village President, Mayor Dave Heilmann. The details are well researched and outlined in the pdf documents which accompany this article. A summary appears immediately below.
Mayor Heilmann and “Speeders Fight Back”
In 2009 Mayor Heilmann secretly signed Contracts, Releases and Agreements to allow the “Speeders Fight Back” TV program to be filmed at Oak Lawn Village Hall. The deal that Mayor Heilmann struck would pay him personally as much as $33,000 if the show produced the full 33 episodes, the first time a Village of Oak Lawn employee or elected official ever got paid by the Speeders program.
Mayor Heilmann never consulted with nor sought approval from the Village Manager and Trustees, and it appears he never sought the advice or counsel of the Village attorneys, either, despite the significant legal risks detailed in the contracts and agreements.
Then for a period of almost two months the “Speeders Fight Back” producers used Village resources to film their show, with Mayor Heilmann acting as the point person and even given a “Consultant” designation in the show’s credits. When Trustees learned about the production they were told the Mayor was asked to "fill in for the judge role because the real actor had to cancel at the last minute."
Unfortunately for Village taxpayers Mayor Heilmann forgot to cut them in on his deal. The Village received nothing from the show, except for multiple complaints about the production by people doing business at Village Hall, and bad reviews over how negatively Oak Lawn was portrayed when the show aired.
But my FOIAs revealed something even more inappropriate; Mayor Heilmann personally directed the use of Village employees to be used in the filming, and they often had to work on weekends to accommodate what one producer referred to as “Judge Dave’s very busy schedule.”
This weekend work alone cost the Village taxpayers more than $4,000 in documented overtime costs. This overtime was supposed to be reimbursed to the Village, but records show it never was.
And these weren't the only employees to do work on the show on tax-payer funded time. The evidence shows that a dozen-plus village employees may have done some type of work on the show during their regular work hours, effectively using tax-payer funds to put thousands of dollars into the Mayor Heilmann’s pockets.
And if all this wasn’t bad enough for the Oak Lawn taxpayers, Mayor Heilmann actually directed the police chief and finance director to pay for a traffic ticket that one of the employees of the show received while they were filming in Oak Lawn!
All of this is detailed in the pdf attachments to this document. There is a time-line that makes the events easy to understand, as well as a pdf of emails and copies of all agreements and contracts. It is important information for every resident of Oak Lawn to become familiar with. The attachments illustrate:
- How Mayor Heilmann signed multiple contracts and agreements on behalf of the Village despite having NO AUTHORITY to do so
- How Mayor Heilmann recklessly agreed to have Oak Lawn assume all risks associated with the Program, risks that “may include injury, disability, and death” per the terms of the Agreement the mayor signed.
- How Mayor Heilmann purposely excluded the Village Manager and Trustees from the Production and mislead them about his own involvement.
- How he directed the show’s producers to fax his $1,000 per-episode contract to his downtown law office, instead of to Village Hall.
- How he signed documents as “Mayor” but listed his home address and home phone number instead of the Village.
- How he wanted to blow-off an important meeting with Congressman Lipinski so he could “tape his Speeders show instead”
- How his secretary did so much work on the show that she once lamented how many emails and phone calls she had to make on just one scheduled taping.
- How he directed his secretary to mislead the Village Manager and Trustees about the production.
I publicly call upon the Village of Oak Lawn Board of Trustees to do the right thing and immediately censure Mayor Dave Heilmann for these actions, urge that they prosecute any wrongdoing to the fullest extent of the law, hold Mayor Heilmann accountable for any and all costs associated with the filming of the “Speeders Fight Back” program, and demand immediate reimbursement for those costs as well as a return to taxpayers any monies paid to Mayor Heilmann through the use of these public resources.
In addition, Mayor Heilmann and all other Village Officials must immediately disclose any other instances, past or present, where their efforts are personally benefitting themselves, family or business interests at taxpayer expense.
Respectfully,
Sandra Bury, OD
Dr. Sandra Bury is running for mayor of the Village of Oak Lawn in April 2013.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author. Oak Lawn Patch invites ALL candidates running for local offices in the April 2013 election to blog or submit letters to the editor or op-eds anytime. Please contact local editor at Lorraine Swanson at lorraine.swanson@patch.com.
tommythePDfking
8:30 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Tommy has itchy pdf fingers again
Judge Andrew
9:27 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
I'm pretty mad right now because I just got suckered into reading another one of Tommy's pieces. I kept waiting to find out what the punchline is but I missed it. If the show owes the village money, shouldn't the village just go after the show. The chief claimed there would be reimbursement, and I'm sure the chief got that in writing, so let's so someone else for a change. Case dismissed!
2nd
9:45 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
I keep saying that his real love is his 'acting'. I saw the show. It was awful and he 'acted' like a twit. We need to 'act' and vote him out!!!
Abe Froman
9:50 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Who Cares???
OakLawnGuy
11:10 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Again, Dr Bury, we hear all you dislike about this adminstration. So, if you are elected, how will you change it? More to the point, how are you going to get any "transparency" legislation through the board? Because from my angle, you have three trustees (including Mr Streit) and one Village Manager who have done more than their share of backroom deals that have benefitted themselves. What will your moves be?
Quiet Neighbor
3:08 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I find that I agree with OakLawnGuy more often than not and this is another case where I couldn't agree more. First of all, this is silly stuff and sure the $4k should be recouped if it is owed. However I think that everyone should be mindful of the fact that while all these FOIA requests produce nice floods of information in order for people to assume there is meat to the story, fulfilling the requests costs the village money. One FOIA request cost $5k in redaction fees recently. So, Dr. Bury, please get a new shtick. If this is the type of stuff that you like to spend your time on instead of articulating your views, your goals, your ideas as a mayoral candidate please do so in a way that doesn't cost the village money fulfilling fruitless FOIA requests over trivial things. Your actions since your announcement have given everyone a clear view of your character, so you don't have to communicate that to us, that is crystal clear this being the icing on the cake. Just when I think you are done with the blame game you surprised me with a bigger joke and waste of everyone's time. This is right out of the Romney Ryan playbook, blame everyone, promise great things to come with 0 detail of exactly how or what, then sit back until you're gob-smacked that you lost. I'm fine with that outcome so maybe you shouldn't stop.
prophet12155
11:25 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
I agree with OakLawnGuy.......Dr. Bury tells us everything they current people are doing wrong. But what is it that she is going to do right? What are her plans to bring in THRIVING businesses to Oak Lawn? What is she going to do about rising tax rates on our homes, as our home values plummet? Tell us what you are going to do differently rather than ragging on something that happened over 3 years ago. I agree that the fact that Heilmann had to play "actor" and got paid for it is BS but lets focus on real issues facing Oak Lawn, PLEASE! I think right now our options for choices for President of the Village are awful.....is there anyone else out there thinking of running???
Rich
11:45 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
I for one am glad Dr. Bury has brought this to our attention. It may be old news, but it sure shows what kind of egomaniac we are dealing with in the mayors office. It's hard to believe these kinds of shenanigans can go on without anyone knowing it. If this is not an example of misusing his public office for personal gain, I can't imagine what is. He should resign.
2nd
11:55 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
prophet12155: What has Heilmann done to bring in more businesses during his tenure? He forms TIFs and sells Village property to build banks so he can buy and rebuild the Masonic temple to expand the Village Green at the taxpayers expense, while drastically reducing parking for the library. Why? To leave as his 'legacy' of the Village Green? Thanks but no thanks. The Village boards, building and planning/zoning and the Trustees should be working TOGETHER on these things instead of constantly fighting and arguing with each other. The Mayor can not be the only one charged with attracting and promoting businesses in the Village and increasing income. I say nix the plans for the bank building on 95th Street and the Masonic Temple plans. Concentrate on developing the property at 111th & Cicero and DO NOT expand the TIFs!!
prophet12155
12:30 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
2nd.....I agree with you completely. I guess my point is that Sandra Bury has really not said what she is going to DO.....just all the ways the current leadership (Heilmann) is bad. As the "leader in name" of Oak Lawn, I personally believe that the Mayor/President whatever should have a vested interest in all the business coming (and mostly goings) in Oak Lawn.
andy skoundrianos
6:53 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Bad story about Dave, the excuses come out,blame others,'no big deal" is said in blogs,Blame manager and trustees. The Mayor is the biggest hypocrite of them all. He rails about contracts no board approvals when it comes to his enemies,when he himself does the same things even worse. The problem with the Mayor is he thinks he runs the Village when it benefits himself and his allies,and when something goes wrong, he says he didn't know anything it was everybody else's fault especially his enemies. The hypocrisy never ends... I watched the speeders show until I saw one of the defendants with an Oak Lawn SUCKS t- shirt and Dave laughing about it!!! Great advocate for our village huh Mayor?? Sorry for the Pun on advocate Mayor
OakLawnGuy
1:27 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I'm not blaming anyone for anything. I didn't even comment on the Speeders thing. All I am asking is for Dr Bury's proposals to make government transparent. I know it won't and can't happen with the current Board and Manager, but if a candidate is running for an office, that candidate needs to come up with substantive ideas for improving whatever that candidate is going to run. And Dr Bury has come up with nothing. ZERO. Hating Dave Heilmann and is governing is one thing, saying how you're going to improve on it is another, and should be the crux of her candidacy. Right now, if there's a debate, all we'll hear is what's wrong with the Village government. We hear enough of that from 2nd, 4th and 6th District trustees on a bi-weekly basis.
Trojansales
12:29 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Andy claims it is a "bad story about Dave"! Imagine that, the opponent of the Mayor wrote a bad "story" in the Patch.
Cleanup in Aisle One. Oh, sorry!
AndySandy
12:12 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Of course Andy would chime in he has it bad for Sandy
andy skoundrianos
12:14 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Of course Den"Bob would chime in on Myself commenting about something that is bad for his new buddy Mayor Heilmann
Who said that?
1:19 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Has anyone else noticed that Sandra Burys initials in reverse are BS, OD???
andy skoundrianos
2:49 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I don't agree with OLG on much but at least he comes up with comments and ideas. These slams on Dr. Bury do nothing to advance the discussion. I comment on acts that are reported on these blogs. The Dave fans out there never can defend his actions only blame everyone else. I wasn't on speeders,Phelan,Deetjeen and Bury didn't allegedly negotiate deals with the series producers without village knowledge, Received money by using public buildings and employees for personal gain.. Sorry but that was Dave. Stop committing these shady acts and we won't have anything to say against your guy.. OLG we have 4 months more of this... By the way what are Dave's plans??
OakLawnGuy
5:50 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I don't know. That's a problem. Again, I'm not sticking up for the guy, just am getting tired of the Dr's slams for which she has no rebuttal in the form of a plan. Didn't we just get a year's worth of this shoved down our throats on a national basis?
Moving Target
5:40 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
From what I hear Phelan, Streit and Deetjen negotiated deals downstate without the villages knowledge. You were OK with that. You were OK with Tom negotiating $10,000.00 contracts with bands without village knowledge. You were OK with the Stony Creek Secret meetings without 2 board members knowledge. You are/were OK with ALL of the BS and sleaze in this group. YOU had the knowledge, but not the Kahunas to stand up!! So SHUT UP NOW! Times up, ding.
2nd
3:03 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Can anyone really say what they will do as mayor BEFORE they're elected? Dr. Bury won't know the real story of the politics or finances until or unless she's elected. Then she'll be able to make some decisions and plan. As for Dave, he's been in office too long (as usual in IL politics) and he's learned how to manipulate the system to suit him. Its time for a change in ALL of the faces on the board in OL.
andy skoundrianos
5:59 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Hey Moving you were at those meetings with your attorney/business partner. I was not Sorry keep trying to deflect off yourselves though nice try.
Moving Target
6:50 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Hey Andy not only was I NOT at those meetings, nor do I have an attorney/business partner btw, I am a resident and also had no knowledge of ANY meetings. YOU DID, and kept it secret from the others.You put your name on complaint! You're just as dirty as the rest of them!!
DEFLECT & BLAME
andy skoundrianos
8:53 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I was not involved in the Heilmann/Jurcev illegal petition challenge,nor was I at the stony creek get together. Nice try
SmallManBigWoman
6:53 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Go get em Sandy! Let's get some ethics and hold those who used their office for gain accountable!
Smallbrainbigrear
10:34 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
What we need is Andy running. That guy has it all together.
andy skoundrianos
11:34 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
You must come up with better fake names Den/Bob There is no originality with your current batch. How bout some Old obscure Cubs players?? Bulls or Hawks?? I would run but couldn't take the pay cut, besides the meetings are too long now!!!
Phil
11:28 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
This could be a very serious issue
If the Mayor did get paid, then he has some explaining to do, and some proof needs to be shown
If the mayor got paid for using village owned properities, then what he did is illegal and unethical as well as possibly criminal
If he signed contracts on behalf of the Village (and hid them from others) then the issue just got bigger and probably uglier. He has no authority to do so
Obviously alot of questions need to be answered, and I bet tonights meeting will be a huge screaming match
what a Village we have
Phil
Rich
11:20 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
I agree with you Phil. This whole issue should be investigated by an outside entity.
OakLawnGuy
1:01 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Are you guys, as taxpayers, willing to pay for that investigation too?
SnakeCharmer
10:13 am on Thursday, December 13, 2012
You guys are way too funny, you guys are absolutely ridiculous. Here let me help explain how all you bloggers sound, especially Andy who cant even stay on one side.
"Are you some kind of idiot keeping a Cobra as a pet, don't you know how dangerous it is. Oh no, your the moron, your pet Viper is much more dangerous then my Cobra. Hey, Stupid everyone knows the Viper is the only snake you can trust. Once again your wrong, the Cobra is completely trustworthy." In unison "My snake would never bite ME".
Rich
1:03 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
Same answer you put in another story. Get some new material.
2nd
10:23 am on Thursday, December 13, 2012
go back in your basket, snake charmer. YOU'RE ridiculous.
SnakeCharmer
10:41 am on Thursday, December 13, 2012
truth hurts, huh 2nd
2nd
1:16 pm on Thursday, December 13, 2012
What 'truth'? I have no idea what you're talking about in your post. Stay on topic or go find some other place to post your nonsense.
Rich
6:53 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
No wonder the mayor is hand picking his trustees. This guy is something else. He obviously has bigger plans than just being Mayor of Oak Lawn. How about a Judge Dave sitcom. Oh wait, we alraedy have a Mayor Dave sitcom.
anthony
11:32 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Dr Bury needs to distance herself from any current board members ....Otherwise she involves herself in the past 10 years
Moving Target
5:45 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
WOW!!! Jane is a really good source of information for ya isn't she? That's what you get from a gossip man. I wonder how reliable it is....just sayin
Bob
6:24 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
What a joke , I just read a line in Sandra Burys web page that we need a mayor that does not make personal attacks. That is all she does. Maybe just the mayor can"t but mayor wannabes can. I wish there was someone running who would just talk about what they can do for Oaklawn not rip the other canidate just to get elected.
Dist2Curious
11:48 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Oh brother! We have to keep listening to this same old same old until April? Andy too?
andy skoundrianos
12:05 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Hey dist. worry about getting a defense lawyer. The FBI is after you