Waste and Graft Disguised as Pandemic Help in Burr Ridge

Throughout the country, we are seeing elected officials at all levels advancing political agendas under the banner of saving lives and keeping businesses afloat during the pandemic. Occasionally their cover is blown. For instance, when they applaud mass gatherings of protestors defying quarantine protocols yet threaten to arrest those attending religious services where social distancing is easily practiced.

Closer to home in Burr Ridge, the Village Board recently approved handouts that total over $332,000, an amount still growing because spending continues, through Fall, of taxpayer money to local restaurants and national-chain hotels under the pretense of preserving the town’s economic base during the pandemic. The economic impact of hotels and restaurants, while important, is a relatively small part of the Village’s overall revenue stream. Nevertheless, the Village spent a large part of its fund reserves on this flawed program and the Village’s marketing program was canceled.

A host of state and federal loan or grant programs already exist to help businesses and their employees survive the pandemic. These programs have common-sense requirements placed on the businesses that benefit. They are appropriately sized to make a significant impact in the operations they are intended to help.

No such criteria were used in Burr Ridge. Unlike federal programs, there was no need to maintain an operation in town or keep employees on payroll. Hundreds of thousands in local taxpayer dollars were given with zero strings attached.

There was also no discussion by the Village Board about the obvious conflict of interest, where the Mayor pushed for grants and handouts to his wealthy donors and business associates, nor whether these donors’ public information made them the most-deserving to receive Village funds. In my view, based on public information, I believe they aren’t. Village funds were misapplied in this regard.

This is a subject that I also believe merits further discussion and investigation. Unfortunately, my requests for information and board discussion on issues have gone unanswered. Village Staff has been instructed by the Mayor to ignore my requests. In this case, there was no accountability to the taxpayer and very little discussion by the Board. The Board acted at the insistence of the Mayor. Mine was the lone “No” vote on this issue. While I am certainly in favor of providing needed assistance, there should also be transparency as to who receives such funds and the reasons why, as well as accountability for improper distributions.

That’s why I’m calling out the real agenda behind the Burr Ridge handouts and why I voted NO -- Grasso is, yet again, abusing his elected office and rewarding his wealthy donors and unsavory business associates on the taxpayer’s dime.

Meanwhile, I have been censured by the Board for calling out the Mayor’s abuses of power, ties to shady donors and dirty businessmen, questionable real estate deals, and waste of taxpayers’ money. As reported by “Patch,” I’ve even been subjected to spying by Grasso as to whether I am a Burr Ridge resident after listing my townhouse for sale. Board members must live in the Village and I still do. Also, I have been the only Trustee who has been blocked, at various times, from remote participation or where my votes have not been counted in board meetings during this pandemic.

One thing Grasso excels at is using diversionary tactics to keep the attention of voters directed away from his real agenda – sweetheart deals for wealthy donors and business colleagues, several with shady pasts, and seeking revenge on political enemies at the expense of the taxpayers. The citizens of Burr Ridge should consider what kind of government they want; one that is transparent, fair and positive or one that is closed, plays favorites, engages in aggressive tactics with relentless vindictiveness, and cuts insider deals that benefit the Mayor’s donors, family, and business associates rather than the majority of Burr Ridge residents.

An informed, thoughtful electorate is essential to a functioning democracy. A concerned citizen might want to start with the public information in “Patch”, “The Chicago Tribune”, “WCIA News”, “South Cook News”, “DuPage Policy Journal”, and the websites or offices of Secretary of State, Illinois Liquor Commission, Illinois Gaming Commission, Cook and DuPage County Assessor’s office, and the State Board of Elections.