Avon Township check dispute escalates

Controversy over outgoing Avon Township Assessor Rick Dishman's plans to attend a Miami convention escalated at a public meeting Monday when former Supervisor Shirley Christian was accused of improperly issuing checks for the trip.

New Supervisor Sam Yingling, who bested Christian in the April election, said a re-examination of April and May meeting minutes show the township board tabled - but never formally approved - Dishman's request for about $3,000.

Despite not having board authorization, Christian still issued checks to cover airfare, hotel accommodations and conference fees for Dishman and an assistant, Yingling said. He contends the action was illegal and said he's informed the Lake County state's attorney's office about his finding.

"I'm really shocked by the banana republic that was being run here," Yingling said.

Christian did not return a telephone message seeking comment late Monday.

Dishman's attorney, Gretchen Neddenriep, attended Monday's meeting with him. Outside the meeting room, she said she reviewed the same meeting minutes as Yingling and did not conclude the township board tabled her client's South Beach convention payments.

Neddenriep said Dishman gained proper approval for the trip.

"My client has an obligation to represent the taxpayers. ... For him to not attend this meeting (in Miami), he's going to have a harder time doing his job. He's doing it because he wants to be responsible to the taxpayers," said Neddenriep, whose request to speak during the meeting was denied by Yingling.

Last month, Dishman refused a township board order to get refunds for everything associated with the ProVal International Users Group event. ProVal is a private organization involved with software for real-estate tax bills.

Dishman and assistant Penny Heckel booked two rooms at Loews Miami Beach Hotel from Sept. 26-Oct. 1 at a cost of $1,638. ProVal convention fees for Dishman and Heckel were $870, with another $478 going toward two airline tickets.

Yingling said Loews has returned the $1,638 to Avon Township at his request, but so far he's been unsuccessful getting refunds for the airfares and conference fees. He said he's submitted an insurance claim to cover public money spent on the airline tickets.

Separately, Christian said all files the supervisor's government computer were erased by her daughter and a friend before Yingling took over May 18. Christian said she meant to remove only e-mails and personal information from the township's computer.

Avon Township includes all or part of Grayslake, Hainesville, Third Lake and the Round Lake area.