Ethics complaint filed over Palatine school district’s use of consultant
An ethics complaint has been filed against Palatine Township Elementary District 15 alleging misuse of funds during the district’s successful $93 million 2022 Moving 15 Forward referendum campaign.
It was filed by Americans for Prosperity-Illinois and former District 15 school board candidate Justin Hegy.
The complaint, along with a Freedom of Information Act request, was submitted to District 15, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office and the Illinois attorney general’s office for review.
It raises concerns that public funds, staff time and district resources may have been used to advocate for the passage of the ballot question. It especially questions the role of a consulting firm, Beyond Your Base.
According to a 2022 Freedom of Information Act request from Hegy, Beyond Your Base received $35,925 from District 15 for Moving 15 Forward campaign-related costs.
The firm was also paid $5,540 from the political campaign committee “Yes for CCSD15 Referendum” for graphic design, web development and communications, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
The complaint cites referendum materials and an online testimonial from retiring District 15 Superintendent Laurie Heinz, who is being succeeded by Dana Smith Wednesday.
“Paul Hanley and Beyond Your Base played a critical role in helping our large and diverse district pass a successful referendum measure in November 2022,” Heinz said in her testimonial.
“Illinois law is clear: Taxpayer resources may be used to provide voters with neutral, factual information. They may not be used to campaign for a political outcome,” Americans for Prosperity-Illinois Deputy State Director Brian Costin said in a statement.
Hegy said using taxpayer dollars to fund a campaign to raise more taxes is unethical, alleging the district spent public resources on high-powered consultants, glossy promotion videos, mailers, community meetings and even apparel.
“It was a full‑scale advocacy campaign, and now the superintendent herself has acknowledged exactly that. The problem is, it's not just unethical — it's most likely illegal,” Hegy said in a statement.
District 15 officials said they are not ready to comment at this time.
The money from the successful ballot initiative was primarily used on capital improvements within the district.