Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage Township Supervisor Bill Mayer resigned during a meeting Jan. 15 amid reports of corruption.

Kirk Allen of the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW), who has been following the story for several months, said he was not surprised by Mayer's resignation.

Allen said Mayer should have resigned in October, when Allen called for his resignation the first time.

"This supervisor is yet another example of why Illinois is in the mess it is in," Allen said in an interview with the DuPage Policy Journal. "When misapplication of taxpayer funds takes place and prosecutors turn a blind eye, they are emboldened to continue their ways."

Allen said ECW's recent questions directed toward Mayer let him know that his game was up.

"We knew the laws and were not going to allow him to get away with what he has done," Allen said. "Public exposure is the only cure when you're in a state where police and prosecutors turn a blind eye."

Allen said while Mayer claimed to have retired to take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, ECW is confident that he knew it was in his best interest to leave public life.

"It is yet another example of how corrupt public officials get away with abusing the taxpayers," Allen said. "However, in this case, we are not done. We fully intend on publishing all the facts about the financial malfeasance that took place under this person's failed leadership. Stay tuned."

Allen said DuPage Township has some great people.

"Considering the room was standing room only, I would say the people are waking up," Allen said. "Eight months ago there were only a couple people that ever came to a meeting. When you can fill a room with citizens for a township meeting, it reflects positively on the entire community."

 At the heart of the matter is Wrangler Unlimited, a dissolved corporation that lists Mayer's wife as the president and agent. Allen questioned if Wrangler had done business with the township as well.

In a Statement of Economic Interest, Mayer disclosed that he was a partner in the company and it did business in DuPage Township.

Allen believes if a company that does business with the county, Call One, is paying Wrangler Unlimited a commission or a fee for their business with the township, then Mayer has violated other laws as well.

Mayer reports an interest in Wrangler on his economic statements, and he agreed to provide an affidavit at a previous township meeting that he was not affiliated with Call One, however, he has refused to provide the affidavit. Edgar County Watchdogs found court records that show in 2012 he was a sales representative at Call One and that he earned more than $160,000 that year.

Allen asked Mayer several questions two days before he resigned and Mayer had an attorney send responses to Allen.

Edgar County Watchdogs reported that DuPage Township and Mayer improperly used the Public Aid account, known as General Assistance, that were not authorized under state law.