Darien-Area Candidate Violated Bid Rules: Records

DARIEN, IL — A Downers Grove Township trustee candidate lost the right to do business with the Chicago Public Schools seven years ago because of bidding violations, according to public records.

In September 2014, the Chicago school board voted to accept a recommendation to stop doing business with Michael Ockrim, now a Republican Downers Grove Township candidate, and three of his companies. The township includes part of Darien.

According to a board report, Ockrim and his companies violated rules against bid "stringing" in the sale of various school supplies.

Ockrim failed to respond to the school district's notice of violation, which was sent to him five months before the board meeting, the report said. Under school board rules, a failure to respond amounts to an admission of the allegation.

Under state law, bid stringing is where a government entity, vendor or both knowingly divide a sale in parts to avoid reaching the threshold that requires a competitive, formal bidding process. In Illinois, bid stringing is a Class 4 felony. The Chicago Public Schools only mentions that Ockrim and his companies violated school board rules in its report and gives no indication that they broke state law.

Ockrim's companies listed in the document are Chicago Education Consultants, Chicago School Supply and Ty Meeshu LLC.

Since 2013, Ockrim has been a school board member for Cass School District 63. He is not seeking re-election.

Ockrim and three other Republicans are facing four Democrats for four seats on the Downers Grove Township board.

He did not return messages for comment Friday and Monday.

Downers Grove Township is made up 147,000 people. Its 2020 budget as $5.3 million.

In Illinois, townships have three mandated responsibilities — maintain roads, assess property values and provide general assistance to the poor.

The township includes all or parts of Burr Ridge, Darien, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Downers Grove and Willowbrook, among other towns.