Fremarek Resigns As Supervisor, Ends Reelection Bid Amid Charges

PLAINFIELD, IL —Tony Fremarek resigned as Plainfield Township Supervisor Wednesday after critics called for him to do so as he faces federal charges and accusations of embezzling from his former employer, The Herald-News reported. Fremarek also announced he has ended his reelection bid just under three weeks before the April 6 municipal election.

Earlier this week, Plainfield mayoral candidate and former township supervisor John F. Argoudelis told Patch he was calling on Fremarek to resign from his position and withdraw his candidacy after being accused in January with stealing nearly $1.4 million from a consulting firm where he worked in 2019, and then falsifying entries in the company's accounting system to conceal the embezzlement.

On Wednesday, Fremarek wrote a letter to the Plainfield Township Board of Trustees, which he also sent to the The Herald-News, announcing his resignation, effective immediately. The letter made no mention of Fremarek's legal troubles.

"At this time, I need to direct my energies on my family and my business," wrote Fremarek, who was elected supervisor in 2013 after having served as a trustee since 2009, according to The Herald-News.

Fremarek continued: "I leave office proud of the many contributions I’ve made to Plainfield Township over the past 12 years of service. I know that I have made a difference through my service."

According to reports, Fremarek also resigned his role as chair of the Plainfield Township Republican Organization and as precinct committeeman No. 1 in the township.

Township Administrator Chuck Willard told The Herald-News Wednesday the Board of Trustees would appoint a replacement supervisor until Fremarek's term ends in May.

As for the election, Fremarek had been running unopposed. But a write-in candidate has emerged in Al Tinsley, who told The Herald-News Wednesday that Fremarek "did the right thing" in exiting the race, and that it "really helps remove the dark cloud of impropriety looming over the election.

Earlier Wednesday, in an email to Patch before Fremarek had dropped out of the race, Tinsley said he represented an "alternative" to Fremarek.

"Plainfield Township deserves ethical leadership and increased government transparency," Tinsley wrote. "Someone who will support small businesses and (is) willing to work with other officials towards meaningful economic development in the community."

Tinsley said he is retired from a Fortune 100 company, where he was tasked with turning around underperforming departments and was directly responsible for budgets in excess of $35 million dollars.

Read more in The Herald-News.