Kankakee Times

The Kankakee Valley Airport Authority (KVAA) allegedly allowed a conflict of interest when it awarded a contract to a commissioner on the KVAA board, John Kraft of the Edgar County Watchdogs' "Illinois Leaks" website said this week.

The group received a tip that Commissioner Rende Langlois, owner of Langlois Roofing Inc., had been awarded a contract for $91,296 at the June 13 KVAA board meeting. Three bids were submitted: Bennet & Brousseau Roofing for $169,480, Meta Master/Roof Master for $94,869 and Langlois Roofing's low bid of $91,296. The vote to approve the low bid was 5-0, with Langlois abstaining.

The project was a roof renovation of Executive Hangar 1. JH2B Architects Inc. advertised for bids for a single day in The Daily Journal, on Friday, May 29. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on June 1. The roofing contractors intending to bid were required to attend. Sealed bids were then accepted by the KVAA until 2 p.m. on June 9.

After the bids were received and reviewed by JH2B Architects, the firm recommended accepting the low bid placed by Langlois. In addition, the board's attorney rendered his opinion that awarding the contract to Langlois Roofing was in compliance with the law.

At issue is the legality of a commissioner submitting a bid. The Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, also known as the Corrupt Practices Act, clearly bars a board member from contracting with that board under Section 3(a).

"No person holding any office, either by election or appointment under the laws or Constitution of this State, may be in any manner financially interested directly in his own name or indirectly in the name of any other person, association, trust or corporation, in any contract or the performance of any work in the making or letting of which such officer may be called upon to act or vote."

Kraft said there are exceptions in Section 3(b). They are limited, and the board member must meet all of the exceptions to legally enter into a contract with the board.

The penalties for violating the act are severe, including a Class 4 Felony and, if convicted, removal from office. Kraft sent a letter to Langlois asking for his resignation from the office of Commissioner due to the violation of Public Officers Prohibited Activities Act, 50 ILCS 105, Section 3(a) in accordance with the penalties described in Section 4.

While the watchdog group focused on the June contract with Langlois roofing and the conflict of interest allegations, according to the KVAA minutes dating back to October 2015, Langlois Roofing worked on roofs at the KVAA previously. Reports in the minutes indicate that the previous work had commenced earlier in the year. Reports in the monthly minutes were provided regarding the ongoing work through December, when the roof work was reported as completed and payment issued.

The January meeting minutes reported new leaks in the roof. Airport Manager Victoria Ruble reported in the February minutes that the reroofing project would begin in early spring. The April minutes show that Langlois was to give a general description of the necessary roof work to Ruble for a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an architect.

Four architects bid on the project. At the May KVAA meeting, Commissioner Glade made the motion to accept the JH2B bid and Langlois seconded it. The motion carried unanimously.

Langlois was appointed to the KVAA board on Sept. 8, 2015, to finish his predecessor's term of office, which ended on April 1, 2016. When his term expired, he was reappointed for another term with the KVAA board.