Ethics Complaint Filed Against Elmhurst-Area Agency

ELMHURST, IL — An ethics complaint has been filed against the "paper" fire district that serves unincorporated residents between Elmhurst and Bensenville.

Bensenville Fire District No. 1 is being accused of using its resources to promote the re-election campaign of Deanne Mazzochi, an Elmhurst Republican. State law bars the use of public resources for political campaigns.

James Brill of the White Pines Community Alliance filed the complaint last month with Addison Township, which appoints members of the fire district's board. An initial hearing is set for Feb. 16.

In his complaint, Brill said the district's representatives placed a flyer promoting a Mazzochi fundraiser in mailboxes in the district.

The flyer in question apparently has the district's stamp affixed to it.

The flyer states, "This invitation comes to you from Bensenville FPD1. State Rep Deanne Mazzochi has come to the aid of Fire District 1."

Then it refers to a bill introduced by state Rep. Kathleen Willis, an Addison Democrat.

"Another State Rep has sponsored HB0693, which would dissolve our district and merge it with BFPD 2," the flyer said. "This would instantly raise real estate taxes $546.00 a year on a $300,000 house. Deanne has worked with us to stop this malicious act. Let's show her our support."

The flyer advertised a Sept. 9 Mazzochi fundraiser at River Forest Country Club, which is in Elmhurst's unincorporated area. It suggested contributions of $25.

Brill asked for "appropriate action" to be taken against the fire district, so it no longer uses taxpayer money to support a political candidate.

"This flyer is not only the very definition of 'prohibited political activities,' but it is obvious that the district used governmental resources and supplies to develop, print and distribute said flyer," Brill said. "Additionally, the flyer was placed in residential mailboxes on a Monday without any postage, which is clearly in violation of federal law."

In an interview, Paul Guerino, the fire district's president, said he had not seen the flyer.

"I did not authorize it. I did not put this out. The first I heard about this is from you," Guerino told Patch. "I have written personal checks to Deanne Mazzochi. As far as I know, not one penny has come out of the Bensenville Fire Protection District 1 to Deanne Mazzochi."

Guerino said Brill should have contacted the fire district directly.

In an email to Patch, Addison Township Supervisor Dennis Reboletti said he had no comment on the contents of the complaint. He said he formed a three-member ethics committee of township trustees Matthew Lozich, Gus Leventis and Diana Kosmach to examine the issue.

Reboletti said notice of the complaint and the hearing date have been sent to fire district officials.

Paul DeMichele, who acts as the fire district's controller, did not return a message for comment.

The fire district has no fire engine or station. Its only job is to send annual checks to two other entities — the city of Elmhurst and Bensenville Fire District No. 2 — to provide fire services.

Although the fire district says Mazzochi supports its position on the legislation, she did not return Patch's message last month about the bill.