Pension inquiry called 'witch hunt' in McHenry County
After being asked to prove their eligibility in a state pension program, McHenry County Board members told a state retirement fund leader he has been pulled into a political game.
Last week, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Executive Director Louis Kosiba asked the 18 county board members enrolled in the program to provide documentation of their hours from 2015 and 2016 — a request some board members said is nearly impossible.
“We were never informed of that,” District 3 board member Michael Walkup said. “So now we're in the position of trying to reconstruct time.”
Elected officials in McHenry County are required to work 1,000 hours per year to receive pension benefits — standards set by the county board in 1998.
Kosiba's request comes after state Rep. Jack Franks approached the IMRF questioning whether board members were actually meeting those requirements.
“This is a politically motivated witch hunt, and it's been choreographed very nicely,” said board member Diane Evertsen, of District 6. “There's no doubt in my mind the time I spend. … But how far is this supposed to go?”
IMRF participants on the county board signed affidavits last fall verifying they work enough hours. At the time, Kosiba said, that was proof enough for IMRF.
But last month, Kosiba and Franks, a Marengo Democrat, told the Daily Herald editorial board they were looking into the validity of those forms.
Board Chairman Joe Gottemoller said board members were blindsided. He said he's disappointed Kosiba would speak with the press about his concerns before contacting the county.
“You didn't give us a chance to respond to anything before you took it public,” he said.
Kosiba said it's his role as an IMRF leader to look into any allegations made against a governing body enrolled in the program.
“I don't buy it,” said board member Nick Provenzano, District 3. “I think you were dragged into a political ploy with a state representative who has had a vendetta against this board for years.”
Moving forward, Kosiba said he'd try working more closely with the board in determining whether participants meet IMRF eligibility.
“My purpose is just trying to determine, honestly and fairly, (how much time) does the position require?” he said.