Commissioner Rende Langlois has had a conflict of interest since his appointment to the KVAA in 2016 because his roofing company had contracts with the agency. | File photo
Commissioner Rende Langlois has had a conflict of interest since his appointment to the KVAA in 2016 because his roofing company had contracts with the agency. | File photo
Commissioner Rende Langlois submitted his resignation at the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority (KVAA) board meeting on Feb. 13.
The resignation was prompted by the efforts of the Edgar County Watchdogs.
Watchdog John Kraft appeared during public comments and gave the board and audience an overview of the issues. Commissioner Langlois has had a conflict of interest since his appointment to the KVAA in 2016 because his roofing company had contracts with the agency.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Aeronautics notified the board of the possible violation of Section 3 of the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act with a letter dated Jan. 27. The law states that if a violation exists, the board member must be removed from office and the seat remain empty for the remainder of the term.
After the executive session of the board, Langlois read his resignation letter. into the minutes. In addition to resigning, he asked that the KVAA attorney Michael Donahue be terminated due to the inaccurate legal advice given to the commissioner and the board.
Kraft reported in Illinois Leaks that after the board meeting and while on his way home, he was notified of the attorney's resignation.
While the conflict of interest issue has been resolved, the watchdog group pointed out an additional issue that faces the board. Property taxes are due on a rental house located on the airport property. The attorney at the board meeting stated that KVAA must pay the taxes, however, the watchdogs contend that public property is not subject to real estate taxes. Generally, the leaseholder is required to pay those taxes.
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