REPORT: WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH MILTON TOWNSHIP? SUPERVISOR CHRIS HEIDORN
“There’s a doctrine in law called respondeat superior (Latin), which means, you know, the boss is responsible.” --Milton Township Supervisor Chris Heidorn, 7/10/12 Board Meeting(video here)
In our first report, What’s The Matter With Milton Township?, we proved that the Top Ten Employees make $1 Million in total compensation and for 8 years the Supervisor had virtually no formal employee management system - no job activity reports, time cards or job descriptions.
With laissez faire management, how did employees perform?
In our second report, What’s The Matter With Milton Township? Ralph Hinkle, (photo right) we showed thousands in taxpayer money spent on: travel junkets; fine dining; and undocumented gas purchases; township cell phone and email used for political purposes; and incurred large taxpayer liabilities for implementation of secret surveillance systems and was aware of drinking/driving of township van. Read Daily Heraldstory HERE.
As quoted above, Township Supervisor Chris Heidorn (photo right) says the buck stops with him. In this report, we begin to analyze the performance of his job duties…
Two serious allegations are explored in this report: 1. Did Supervisor Heidorn falsify the official township budget ordinances and knowingly vote to approve falsification of certified minutes from the Special Meeting of the Budget on March 27, 2012?, and 2. Did Supervisor Heidorn pressure Trustees to sign a pre-written response to township auditors regarding “Fraud Risk Inquiry”?
I. Did Supervisor Heidorn falsify the Township Budget Ordinances?
On March 27, 2012 Township Supervisor Chris Heidorn presented the Milton Township annual Town Fund budget and Road Budget and both were approved that night by trustees. Two days later, the Township’s official budget ordinances were filed with DuPage County - with a different set of spending numbers.
- 3/27: Trustee approved spending: Town Fund $2,663,709; Road Fund $1,909,016.
- 3/29: Official numbers filed with DuPage County: Town Fund $2,320,383; Road Fund $1,917,484.
Both Supervisor Chris Heidorn and Township Clerk Gail Hinkle (wife of Ralph Hinkle) were aware of the gross discrepancy:
Gail Hinkle in a 3/28/12 email: Chris, I’m trying to write the minutes from last night so that I can get them out today along with the April 3 Agenda. I do not have the final numbers for Road District & Town Fund Budgets? All I have are line item transfer for 2012-2012. You gave the2011 Budget numbers for the Township Budget last night. Why am I so confused? If you have the numbers at hand, please email them to me. (emphasis added)
Chris Heidorn email response on 3/28/12: I may have grabbed the wrong book last night and may have misspoken – the numbers are the tentative budget numbers. Sorry.
Was there collusion between the Supervisor Chris Heidorn and the Clerk Gail Hinkle to falsify the Budget Ordinance and Certified Minutes? Here’s the evidence, you decide:
1. The township trustees voted on budget numbers. Review video here; read transcript here.
2. Those approved budget numbers were not used in the official ordinance or the certified minutes of the meeting. Review certified minutes here;Road Ordinance here; Township Fund Ordinance here.
3. Both Supervisor Heidorn and Clerk Hinkle were aware of the mistake. Read emails here.
4. An amendatory process exists to correct mistakes. Months later, the process isn’t even started (50 ILSC 330/3 and Trustees’ Operations Manual, page 36).
The Supervisor can’t handle the important, yet simple and straightforward process of an annual budget? By law, only approved budget numbers can be certified by ordinance.
From the video and transcript, Milton Township Clerk Gail Hinkle’s minutes don’t reflect the actual meeting. With prior knowledge, Heidorn was silent as the Milton Trustees voted to approve Hinkle’s minutes at the next meeting.
Supervisor Chris Heidorn’s pattern of behavior is troubling at best…
II. Supervisor Chris Heidorn fills out All Trustee Responses in Auditor’s Fraud-Risk Inquiry:
Miriani & Associates: Are you aware of any allegations of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the entity?
Heidorn answer: No
Miriani & Associates, Ltd. is the auditor hired for the annual financial report. Following protocol, the auditors asked the Milton Trustees to fill out a “Fraud Risk Inquiry” Statement. Supervisor Chris Heidorn filled out the report for each Trustee and elected official and pressured them to sign the statement. Review pre-written Fraud-Risk Inquiry here.
From Chris Heidorn’s email: “I have attached a completed form for your signature. Please print it, sign it and return it to me at your soonest convenience so I may pass it on to Mirianni & Associates. Thank you.”Review Heidorn email here
When a boss pre-writes the auditor’s Fraud Risk Inquiry Statement, doesn’t that defeat the purpose of the inquiry?
Next week, we will continue to explore the performance of Milton Supervisor Chris Heidorn in our next installment of “What’s the Matter with Milton Township?”
Marty
10:23 am on Friday, September 7, 2012
Is what Heidorn and Hinkle did a crime or just incompetence? How could they be so stupid to submit budget numbers that were not approved by the Trustees? WOW. I would love to hear the party line defense to this.
Chris Heidorn's Ghost
11:41 am on Friday, September 7, 2012
It is time for Chris Heidorn to do the honorable thing and resign.
MK
7:46 am on Saturday, September 8, 2012
All of these Milton people are a bunch of in bred weirdos. It never ceases to amaze me how gullible voters are when that cast votes for the queen of weirdos Jeanne Ives. Hey Jeanne, take a Prozac and chill on this ethics thing. Duty Honor and Country have nothing to do with ME ME ME. That's all you seem capable of talking about and taking care of is yourself.
Charlotte Eriksen
9:27 am on Saturday, September 8, 2012
Two comments were removed for violating the terms of use.
Chris Heidorn's Ghost
10:24 am on Saturday, September 8, 2012
Like President Obama, Jeanne Ives will be a one term proposition.
St. Martin
10:55 am on Saturday, September 8, 2012
I have it on good authority that a candidate from Wheaton, is being courted by HEAVY MONEY to run against Queen Jeanne two years from now.
PS it's not Chris or Lori or Dave or Evlen, but some one right under Queens Ives hooked nose :)
Kelle Park
5:52 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
Jeanne has nothing to do with Milton Township or the corruption there. She is completely independant and not beholden to anyone. I am glad Charlotte pulled down those prior posts claiming that Jeanne's oldest son got into West Point based on political favors from Peter Roskam. Just because Roskam's wife is on Jeanne's campaign (dear personal friend), and Amy Grant, candidate for County Board and Roskam's field office manager, owes her candidacy to Jeanne, does not mean that getting into West Point was a political favor. Jeanne has gotten where she is by herself with the help of no one.
St. Martin
4:42 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
Kelly park it's obvious you not aware that Jeanne's Campaign sign capt was Ralph Hinkle. If you bother to look at the Fioa disclosures by Adam Andrzejewski
http://forthegoodofillinoispac.com/wp-content/uploads/Nextel-bill-2-27-12-color-coded-final.pdf
You will see how deep Jeanne is in this mess. It should be noted that Jeanne's IVES Treasurer was Marie Jensen, a Township Board member and enabler to Heidorn/Hinkle mess. All of Ralph's political activities done on Township Time and resources was for the benefit for one candidate JEANNE IVES. Make no mistake, Jeanne is up to her neck in this one.
St. Martin
10:28 am on Saturday, September 8, 2012
Whats the matter with Milton township. It's ME ME ME ME ME.. GIMME GIMME GIMME... LIE LIE LIE LIE... HIDE HIDE. Hide.
The stink is thick at Milton township with the disclosures of Lying, cheating and stealing (I'm the boss, but I'm not the boss over Ralph or ...lets use Township cell phones, email severs, and use paid township employees to help Jeanne (I Don't Lie, CHEAT OR STEAL) IVES win a close election by 740 votes... (It should be noted that Jeanne ran one of most dirty races that has ever been seen and took advantage of the full resource of KING RALPH, HIS CERT TEAM and had with the full approval of Chris Heidron (ALL OF WHICH IS DOCUMENTED with reams of email disclosed by Foia's ). It should be noted that the MTRCC leadership was full aware of all of these violations and stood by and encouraged it.
I CHALLENGE THOSE READING THIS TO COME THE THE MILTON TOWNSHIP MEETING ON TUES 11, 2012 at 7:00 (They changed the time ) and tell the board that YOU, as Tax payers and voters, are not happy with LYING CHEATING AND STEALING going on there.
J
10:13 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012
St., the time still shows 7:30 on the township's website, 7:15 for audit of township bills. Where did you see this?
I noticed that they added a line on the public forum that comments are limited to 3 minutes. I guess they weren't too pleased with the comments at the last meeting, but those were only 2 minutes before the grand puba started attacking the public commenter.
Kelle Park, your nose is getting longer.
St. Martin
4:48 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
The correct time and place for the Sept township meeting is posted on the door of the Township building at 1492 North Main Street, Wheaton. That's the law... But it should be noted that the board does conduct Township business prior to the start time and it's a good thing to get there early at 7:00pm.
Mark "FOIA" Stern
8:09 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
Things have gotten so bad at Milton Township even Mark O. Stern had to move away.
Mike B.
11:52 am on Sunday, September 9, 2012
I used to live in Wheaton back in the day. Why does everyone seem so surprised at this? Milton Township has been a continuous political firestorm for 30 years by my count, and a magnet for people like Andrzejewski, Flickinger, Heidorn, and the rest. Wheaton has always had a church on every corner and too much crazy in the water...
Chris Heidorn's Ghost
1:51 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
A little birdie told me that Ralph Hinkle has the authority to sign his own paycheck. Is that the next post coming from Adam. Stay tuned.
Peter Faulk
10:44 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
I am sure that Jeanne Ives "The Quenn of Ethics" will be addressing this subject real soon.
Chris Heidorn's Ghost
6:25 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
At yesterdays meeting the auditor found the following:
T
1. Paying people without proper time records
2. Highway Commissioner Gary Muehlfelt's expenses (and lack of proper
documentation)
3. Use of credit cards and payment of CC bills without proper documentation and the splitting of the expenses among various accounts.
It is time for Heidorn and the board to resign. Their behavior is disgraceful.
J Adago
7:45 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
An audit was performed - interesting. Any way we can get more information on the results and the reason it was conducted? Was this an internal audit, or by an outside accounting firm? Was it conducted in response to allegations, or as part of a regular outside audit? What was its purpose and scope? Did it find isolated issues of improper documentation, or widespread and systematic problems? Did it make recommendations for the future? It would be great to get some independent insight to the audit.
Jeanne E. Liess
8:14 am on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Nice try Jeanne or Marie or whatever your Milton name is. Why don't you ask the real Supervisor/Trustee of Milton Township Ralph Hinkle for a copy of the audit? Maybe he wants his cash advance before he gives it to you!
J Adago
11:33 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Why should I not be surprised with a name like "Jeanne E. Liess" that you live in a state of paranoia that anyone who is interested in this topic without taking your side is somehow a Township Trustee or Jeanne Ives herself... My question was to CHG, who apparently was at the Township meeting on Tuesday, and heard from an "auditor" who was reporting on some topic. I'd still like to hear who this auditor was and what they were reporting on. And it would be nice to hear it from someone who can lay out the facts of what were said at the meeting, not some slanted report from the one or two people who keep morphing up under silly pen names calling for peoples' heads.
Milton Liess
12:10 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
@ J Adago, like your name is real. The report from Jeanne and her disciples is not slanted??? Get a grip. These people in Milton are fools to be voted out.
Ronnie Ray
5:44 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Back at the MTRCC, TEAM HINKLE and his Henchmen it's business as usual, Lori C, all smiling and giggling, with the strings being pulled by BOSS HINK, in his Cert team uniform, making sure his committeeman obeys their master's voice. No change, just SOS (SAME OLE BOVINE FECAL MATTER)
Chris Heidorn's Ghost
5:28 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
@ J Adago, the management letter from the Township's own outside auditor will be released. It will be made public and it will outline in more detail my review. Then "J", the whole sordid crew @ Milton should resign or maybe they should have a "federal escort" service. Either way, they are disgrace to the taxpayers.
J Adago
7:38 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thanks for clarifying it was an outside audit, CHG. Should be an interesting read.
Who Do We Think We Are
10:43 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wow!! Talk about a bunch of angry haters, "Chris Heidorn's Ghost" obviously embattled Assessor Bob Earl's wife Dawn, who I have never seen smile and "St Martin" clearly Mark Kmiecik (who thinks very highly of himself given his screen name) their main message is a cynical one, more about tearing down than building up. So those who believe in the truth, let’s not allow the imperfect be the enemy of the good. These unhappy people all deserve one another.
St. Martin
12:40 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I guess people get "ANGRY" when the truth of Milton township found to be run for the benefit of a few (The Two Hinkles, Chris Heidorn at the expense of the many (taxpayers) I suppose it is cynical to want open and transparent government. I suppose people who are the whistle blowers are the cause of corruption?
J
11:08 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Who, the whole front table at the Township meetings, minus one(Flickinger), are out for Heidorn and themselves, not their constituents and let me remind them, THEIR FRIGGIN NEIGHBORS. Read Adam A's stuff and stop with this silly hater stuff. There is nothing to build up. It needs to be trashed to the ground and started fresh. The Milton Township Committeemen that aren't part of this BS need to stand up and be counted or they might as well cross the aisle.
The good people of Milton Township need to take 1 hour out of their kids soccer schedule on October 9, the next meeting and show up at the Township Hall. Heidorn is scum and his board is just as bad for their hear no evil, see no evil act.
Who, you want to call me a hater? I call you a paid Township insider looking to save your BS township from change. It is coming.
J
12:52 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX9BawAFzfI
J
1:04 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
The response to the public commentor's questions by Heidorn during and after the meeting was absolutely nothing. Same for the board that is held by Geppetto, oops, Heidorn. The next independent thought that Marie Jensen has will be her first. And, unfortunately, because he seems like a decent guy, Marty Keller isn't much different. And ol' Sal? Check his pulse. The voters need to retire his ol' derriere.
The board didn't make a motion on, or bring up any discussion during new business on any of the commentor's points or questions. And, all Mary Dickson did, the Township's attorney,WHO WAS PAID $280 for her appearence at August's meeting and a similar amount for Tuesday night, was act as a buffer and shield for Heidorn to keep him from answering legimate questions in front of the public. NICE.
J Adago
2:10 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Thank you for posting this. I watched parts 1 through 3, assuming there isn't anything else. Near the end of part 2 they talk about receiving the results of an independent accounting audit, and that they will make it public, but nothing about the contents of the audit. How do posters know the specific results of the audit? Were they discussed after the camera was turned off?
J
2:29 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
They weren't discussed after the meeting was over. I believe it was mentioned during the meeting that they will be put on the website by the clerk, soon. This means look for them in early October, just before the next meeting. You know Hard Working Hinkle.
Who Do We Think We Are
4:05 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! If Flickinger is a "whistle-blower" as you claim why is it Flickinger has approved all the bills Adam A is writing about? Check it out for yourself at the township, you will find Flickinger's signature approving the claims. You people can't even make up a good lie.
Sadly, there is a systematic intolerance of dissent amongst this group and everyone knows who they are, early on they showed a penchant for political smack-down. This radical minority is reduced to personal slams on our township leadership and outright lies about their management because they lack a positive agenda and hate – hate – what they have accomplished for Milton Township.
Chris Heidorn's Ghost
4:21 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Please respond to the documented allegations. It is clear that the Township is corrupt.
J
4:36 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Who, hide behind a name that you'll probably change tomorrow. You or family works for the Township, so you'll say anything to protect BS. Be glad I don't find out WHO you are or I would file an ethics violation against you for screwing around on 'compensated time'.
I have a unique thought. Why don't you try to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Pretty soon, I'm going to think that everybody working at the Township is worthless.
Chris Heidorn's Ghost
12:53 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
Repeal Illinois' Corruption Tax- exposing Milton Township is proving the need to aggressive transparency and adversarial, forensic auditing of all public spending. http://forthegoodofillinoispac.com/blog/repeal-illinois-corruption-tax/
Please read the blog and click on the auditor's report. It seems like Chris, Gary M and the Hinkles have some big questions to answer.
J Adago
6:54 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Wow, on this link Adam Andrzejewski has a copy of an e-mail from Chris Heidorn to Jim Flickinger (with cc: to all Milton Township Trustees) dated 11/10/12, just four days before Andrzejewski posted his analysis on 9/14/12. How did he get access to a private e-mail so fast? Do FOIA requests turn around that quickly? He also has a link to a copy of the audit by Miriani. I've been checking the Milton Township website every day to see if it's posted, and haven't found anything. Maybe they buried it on the website...
jagtwlve
3:11 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
What's the matter with former Milton Trustee Chris Edwards? What with him resigning when information started to come out on Ralph Hinkle, etc. It was like he went into hiding, which is strange behavior for a precinct committee man. What scared him so, and why is he still a committee man when he has been inacive as such? Inquiring minds want to know.