DuPage Democrats may be on the hook for health care forum costs

Invoices for a health care forum organized by the DuPage County Board's three Democratic members were rejected today by the board's finance committee.

A report from Auditor Bob Grogan suggested the $5,142.13 sought for a variety of security and support services provided at the Sept. 15 forum at the county administration building "did not appear to be formally sanctioned by the county board or a (board) committee."

"At the end of the day it was my conclusion the event was not germane to county business," Grogan said. "It didn't pass the smell test."

Grogan, a Republican, said the health care forum only featured speakers in favor of an overhaul to the nation's health care system and lacked "symmetry" necessary for a nonpartisan event. Also, Grogan said the county board has no jurisdiction over health care reform and none of the panelists at the event had a vote to change the nation's health care system.

The most expensive invoice was issued by the Wheaton Police Department, which provided scores of off-duty officers to provide security at the event at a cost of $3,932.50. Organizers anticipated more than 800 people would attend the forum, but fewer than 100 showed up, county officials said. Other costs included chair rentals, hearing and language interpreters and the services of the Wheaton Fire Department.

The controversial nature of the topic and the anticipated size of the crowd were reasons why board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom initially signed off on the emergency expenditures.

Board member Dirk Enger, who served as moderator at the forum, said at the time he would pay for the costs of hosting the event if anyone had a problem with the costs. When asked if he still intended to cover the cost he replied, "I guess we'll have no choice."

But Enger contends he and the other board members who organized the forum followed proper protocols. He said he doesn't believe the finance committee's vote to reject the invoices was politically motivated. The committee is almost entirely made up of Republican board members.

"I think they're just going on the basis of the county auditor's report," he said.

Expenditures by county board members of more than $5,000 are supposed to be approved by the county board or an oversight committee. However, since the costs involved different funds, the county board was never able to vote on the expenses.

"We have to set some type of policy here so that this won't happen again," said board member Jim Zay.

The committee is asking the three Democrats to attend its next meeting in two weeks to explain why the county should pay these invoices and not charge them. Enger said he would attend.

"I've gotten nothing but good comments on the forum," he said.