Politico Gets Burr Ridge Money?

BURR RIDGE, IL — The Burr Ridge village government this week offered to pay for the tickets of village board members who wanted to attend a dinner organized by DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin. But the event is a fundraiser to support Cronin's political committee. It's illegal in Illinois for a government entity to use its resources to help a political campaign.

After this was pointed out to the village Wednesday, Mayor Gary Grasso pulled the offer, saying he did not realize it was a political event. The fundraiser, called Cronin's Annual St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, costs $75 a person.

On Tuesday, Grasso sent an email to a village secretary, asking her to buy him a ticket. "Remind all trustees of this event too. It is well-attended by local officials and businesses. It is not pro nor con any candidates or parties," the mayor wrote.

The next day, the secretary extended the invitation to the trustees. "If you wish to attend, please let me know and I will purchase your ticket," the secretary wrote.

A few hours later, Trustee Zach Mottl brought the email to Burr Ridge Patch's attention, saying, "This is a political fundraiser. Why are BR funds being used to procure tickets and why are village staff being used to promote this?"

Patch then asked Grasso about the issue in an email. The mayor responded he thought it was a county event, noting the logo on Cronin's page appeared to be from the county. Grasso said it was his error, saying he had since asked Village Administrator Doug Pollock not to buy any tickets with public money. "Zach has a point," the mayor said.

In an interview, Pollock said he was appreciative that it was pointed out the event was political.

"The mayor didn't realize it was a campaign event. The village could not pay for that," Pollock said.

Cronin's website gives the appearance of a government website. It is labeled "Office of the DuPage Chairman Dan Cronin," with an apparent seal for the office. But this is not the seal the county uses and the website is completely separate from the county's. No references to the fundraiser could be found on the county website.

The dinner is set for March 13 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. It is described as an event that "brings together hundreds of business and civic leaders, as well as area elected officials and candidates to celebrate and enjoy an evening together." At the bottom of the event page on Cronin's website is a notation in small lettering that the site is paid for by Citizens for Dan Cronin.

Both Cronin and Grasso are Republicans. According to state Board of Elections records, Cronin and Grasso have not given to each other's campaigns before. Candidates must list the names of donors who give $150 or more.

In an email, Mottl said the mayor's claim of a mistake is not acceptable.

"Every time Grasso gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar, it's a 'mistake,'" Mottl said. "He should know that ignorance of the law is not a valid defense for breaking it. He has repeatedly attempted to silence, obstruct and censure me for holding him accountable, but I will not give up. Burr Ridge should not be subjected to his constant 'mistakes,' which are actually violations of the law."

In last April's election, Grasso, an attorney, defeated Mottl, then the interim mayor, in a landslide. In November, the village board censured Mottl, accusing him of demeaning staff. Grasso was a DuPage County Board member for more than five years.