Law would force entire DuPage Water Commission to resign
The faces at the DuPage Water Commission dais could look entirely different come next year.
If Gov. Pat Quinn signs legislation recently approved in both chambers, the 13 members of the commission would be forced to resign by New Year's Eve.
However, the new law doesn't prevent any of them from being reappointed the next day.
"I don't know that it's in anyone's best interest that the whole board is new," said Frank Saverino, Carol Stream village president and water commissioner. "I would think it best for the people of Carol Stream if I stayed on that board."
The legislation that potentially changes the governance of the commission was championed by state Sen. Dan Cronin, who is also the Republican nominee for county board chairman. Initially, Cronin's bill called for the county to take over the commission's operations, but it was halted by opposition in the House. A compromise was reached that kept membership appointments mostly the same, but eliminated a quarter-cent sales tax by 2016 that helps fund water commission operations.
If elected county board chairman, Cronin would be the one making six of the commission appointments as well as nominating the commission's chairman.
"I want to start with a new team with fresh faces," Cronin said. "I'm concerned the current crop just doesn't get it."
Six other commission appointments are made by mayors from municipalities served by the agency.
Woodridge Mayor Bill Murphy would not rule out a reappointment to the commission if the mayors in his district wanted him to go back. He accused Cronin of trying to control the commission despite the legislative compromise.
"They're getting a glimpse of how an entrenched politician will work with people," Murphy said, "or I should say, not work with people."
Cronin said the compromise requires a "responsibility to go in a new direction."
"It's the prerogative of the mayors if they want to reappoint the same guys that got us into this mess," he said.
The possible overhaul of the commission stems from its accidental spending of a $69 million reserve fund. Poor accounting practices and lackadaisical managerial oversight was blamed for the financial missteps that led to the fund's depletion. A special audit laid some of the blame at the feet of the commission, as well as the former general manager and financial administrator. The water commission is responsible for distributing Lake Michigan water to more than two dozen communities and agencies in DuPage County.
Current commission Chairman Louis Rathje questioned the rationale of changing the makeup of the group all at once.
"There should be some continuity and some people who provide a link between the old and the new," he said. "I don't know if it violates the spirit of the law by reappointing some current members."
In addition, terms of four commissioners expire at the end of next month. They are Saverino, Liz Chaplin, Greg Mathews and Don Zeilenga. Saverino said he would accept reappointment at least through the end of the year, if not longer. However, Chaplin said she's done.
"In a nutshell, I would be wasting my time there because they really don't listen to me," she said. "The commission is slowly going to be reformed, but since Rathje was appointed chairman I just never felt he took my concerns seriously and it felt like I was beating my head against a wall."
Chaplin was one of two commissioners singled out in the auditor's report as trying to alert the commission of possible financial chicanery. The other commissioner named in the report, Allan Poole, recently stepped down after retiring from his job with the city of Naperville.
<p class="News"><b>New rules</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Other changes to the DuPage Water Commission's governance are in store, pending governor's signature</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Chairperson</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Before: Joint appointment decided by county board chairman, county board and mayors.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Now: Appointed by county board chairman with consent of county board.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Commissioners</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Before: Six appointed by county board chairman, six appointed by mayors.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Now: Same, except with additional provision that appointees be residents of DuPage County or municipality served by water commission.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Staff</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Before: Commission had final approval of administrative hirings.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Now: County board has to approve general manager, finance director and treasurer hirings.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Staff Qualifications</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Before: No statutory requirements.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Now: Finance director and treasurer positions to be filled by individuals with financial backgrounds and experience.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Sales tax</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Before: Quarter-cent sales tax on goods purchased in municipalities served by water commission in effect since 1985.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Now: Sales tax would cease June 1, 2016.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Audit</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Before: Commission hires independent auditor each year.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Now: Independent auditor reports results to county auditor within 30 days of completion.</p>