Kirchenberg Opposes "Pay-to-Play" Contracting at DuPage Forest Preserve
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DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioners accept unlimited campaign contributions from companies doing business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. This is unethical and should be illegal!
One of the worst offenders is incumbant District 2 DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner Joe Cantore. Cantore accepts unlimited campaign contributions from companies where he has voted to approve "no bid contracts" - contracts totaling MILLIONS of our tax dollars.
“Accepting any campaign contributions from any companies doing business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is unethical. It should be illegal” states Don Kirchenberg, candidate for Forest Preserve Commissioner, District 2.
“I have not and will not accept any monies from any company doing business or seeking to do business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.”
These donations were reported to the IL State Board of Elections. Don Kirchenberg explains “the recent contributions to Commissioner Cantore from his fundraiser held in October will not have to be reported until year end. Here are enough examples that show a bad pattern that we believe is wrong.”
- Cantore reported $2,800.00 in campaign contributions from Kuhn Mitchell Moss a Naperville law firm. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Kuhn Mitchell Moss in an amount exceeding $640,000 for legal services.
- Cantore reported $1,000.00 in campaign contributions from Chapman & Cutler a Chicago law firm. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Chapman & Cutler in an amount exceeding $175,000 for legal services.
- Cantore reported $900.00 in campaign contributions from Day & Robert PC a Naperville law firm. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Day & Robert in an amount exceeding $325,000 for legal services.
- Cantore reported $750.00 in campaign contributions from Wight Architects and its owners. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Wight Architects in an amount exceeding $300,000 for design work for development (new building, etc) at Willowbrook Forest Preserve.
- Cantore reported $850.00 in campaign contributions from Christopher Burke Engineering. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Christopher Burke Engineering in an amount exceeding $150,000.
- Cantore reported $350.00 in campaign contributions from Coffman Truck Sales owner Frank Coffman. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Coffman Truck Sales for the purchase of truck parts in an amount exceeding $30,000.
The State of Illinois made it illegal for state officials to accept campaign contributions from individuals and companies seeking to do business with the State.
Why hasn't the Board of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County adopted an ordinace to prohibit these types of pay-to-play contributions?
sn't the Board of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County adopted an ordinace to prohibit these types of pay-to-play contributions?
REF:
http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/ContributionsSearchByAllContributions.aspx
Joanne
3:14 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Pay-to-Play is illegal for State officials. It should be illegal for all elected officials in Illinois.
It is without a doubt highly unethical... There is no excuse for this.
Don Kirchenberg
12:22 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
"Pay to play" sounds like a friendly concept but it isn't because it is the bad practice of accepting unlimited campaign contributions from companies that do business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. "Pay to play” is why Rod Blagojevich, George Ryan and others are in prison. "Pay to play" is why IL politics and government is looked down upon and ridiculed across the world. Our Forest Preserve District and our Commissioners should not be involved in "pay to play" because it is unethical and should be illegal. I have not and will not accept any campaign contributions from any companies that are doing business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Please pass this on by sharing on Facebook and via email.
Jerry Logan
9:06 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
We need someone like Don Kirchenberg on the DuPage County Forest Preserve District Board as Commissioner in District 2. He has shown many times that he is willing to do the hard work and ask the tough questions to help protect our trees, trails and trail users. As our Commissioner he will work hard and will NOT take a pension. In addition he will work to reduce their salaries of over $53,000 to $25,000 for these part time positions. Get more info at citizensforkirchenberg.blogspot.com
DuPageCountyWatch
7:57 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
We agree with Jerry Logan and the concerns expressed in the article listed above. Don Kirchenberg is the one we are voting for and he is correct no one should get rich from public service!
Get more info at the Youtube video of Don Kirchenberg at the LWV debate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWtPi49cRtY which Cantore did not attend like so many Forest Preserve District meetings!
Lindy Sullivan
12:37 pm on Thursday, November 1, 2012
Kirchenberg will NOT take the taxpayer subsidized pension. Commissioners can choose whether or not to take the pension Commissioner Cantore District 2 and Commissioner Painter District 3 are all taking the taxpayer subsidized pension for this part time elected job. We think Kirchenberg has a realistic view on what is an appropriate salary. We love his belief and quote: "No one should get rich off of public service." He's right it is supposed to be "public service" not a way to get rich with these part time elected jobs! You can watch the brief video of less than 5 minutes of Kirchenberg at the LWV debate. Note Commissioner Cantore did not show up for the debate. Here is the Youtube video of the LWV debate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWtPi49cRtY
At least he was not interrupted and insulted like he was by President Pierotti at the FPD of DC meeting on 8/14 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAi8tGrF7KI
You are encouraged to let everyone know about this very good candidate for DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner in District 2.