Kankakee Times

The Edgar County Watchdogs recently reported on questions raised by the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Division of Aeronautics Interim Director Steve Young regarding Kankakee Valley Airport Authority (KVAA) Commissioner Rende Langlois' qualifications for office.

Illinois Leaks reported on the potential conflicts on Sept. 19 and Oct. 4, 2016. The watchdog group received a tip that the KVAA awarded a roofing contract to a company owned by one of the commissioners. The information also indicated that the commissioner had voted in favor of the contract, a clear conflict of interest, if true.

The watchdogs sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to KVAA requesting copies of the bids, meeting minutes, a copy of the contract and other pertinent details. Five days after receiving the FOIA request, the airport authority's attorney Michael Donahue responded and requested an additional five days to complete the request.

On the last day, Donahue contacted the watchdog group with a denial of the request. He said the denial was based on watchdog John Kraft's "failure to make and present a proper and valid request according to Illinois law.”

Kraft reported on the FOIA request and denial in the September article in Illinois Leaks. As he pointed out, the request was properly presented to the KVAA. A second request was submitted, but only part of the request was fulfilled. No information on the roofing contract was provided, despite the properly submitted FOIA request.

Donahue later contacted Kraft and provided the information requested. As reported by Illinois Leaks in October, Langlois submitted a bid on a roofing contract with the airport through his own roofing company, Langlois Roofing Inc. He submitted the low bid and, upon the recommendation of the architect and airport attorney, it was accepted. The commissioner abstained when the board voted on the contract.

After Kraft questioned the propriety of the commissioner bidding on the job, Langlois contacted the watchdog and explained that the attorney said it was within the law. The Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, however, prohibits public employees and officers from holding direct or indirect interests in contracts. There are limited exceptions, and contracts must meet all the listed items.

The Edgar County Watchdogs then requested Langlois' resignation due to his prohibited activities and conflicts of interest. He did not reply.

Illinois Leaks reported on Feb. 4 that Young sent the KVAA an official letter from IDOT that questioned Langlois' qualifications as a commissioner.

"(I)t appeared Rende Langlois may be disqualified from acting as a Kankakee Valley Airport Authority commissioner," according to the letter. "It appears that Mr. Langlois had a financial interest in the continued existence of the KVAA at the time of his appointment to the Authority."

In the letter, Young pointed out that when Langlois was originally appointed in 2015, his company already had a contract with the KVAA. After his second appointment in 2016, his company was awarded another contract with the airport authority.

The IDOT letter informed the board of commissioners of the procedures mandated by law after it was notified by letter of the possible violation. The board member must explain to the board why he should not be removed from office. After a hearing and removal of the offending member, the seat must remain empty until the board member's term expires.

The letter also quoted Section 3(a) of the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act:

"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 … Any contract made and procured in violation hereof is void."

Young closed the letter by inviting the KVAA to contact him if it had any questions regarding the information provided to IDOT.

The Edgar County Watchdogs will continue to monitor public officials and employees. If a member of the public has questions or information to share with the watchdog group, the Watchdog Tip Line number is 312-566-8078.