Wasco board accused of secrecy

The Wasco Sanitary District Friday denied allegations its board of trustees violated open meetings laws Sept. 19.

The district was responding to a complaint filed with the Illinois attorney general Nov. 12 by Campton Hills Trustee Jim Kopec, who says the taxing body has a history of "flagrant violations" of the Open Meetings Act.

According to his complaint, Kopec took a recording device to the September meeting and documented numerous infractions. He wants state officials to censure the board, make it rescind action taken that day and "initiate civil or criminal enforcement if deemed appropriate."

Robert Skidmore, vice president of the sanitary district board, issued a statement Friday calling the complaint a wrongful "attempt to discredit" district officials.

"We deny any wrongdoing and believe we will be proven innocent when our response has been reviewed by the attorney general," the statement read in part. "It has been and always will be our goal to provide an open and honest government."

Kopec, who does not reside in the sanitary district, claims the board broke the law by going into and coming out of a closed session without voting or giving a reason for the private discussion, and by failing to keep a verbatim record of the closed meeting.

The district has until Jan. 4 to officially respond.

News of the complaint came three days after Skidmore accused the Campton Hills electoral board of similar violations to the attorney general. That case is under review.

Kopec and Skidmore each said they filed complaints as individuals, not on behalf of their respective governments.