Summit Hill D161 Board Calls Out Inaction Of Will County State's Attorney's Office

FRANKFORT, IL — The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education is "expressing deep concern and frustration" after the Will County State's Attorney's Office's lack of prosecutorial action in a construction fraud issue, the District shared in a news release.

The issue involves the District and Storm Construction or Storm Consulting Group.

"Over the past five years, each Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education has cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities, providing documentation, financial records, audit findings, and internal investigative materials related to significant irregularities discovered in connection with invoicing for construction and related services provided to the District by Storm during the period from 2017 through 2021," the District said in a news release.

However, the District has said that no charges have been filed and the Board hasn't received "substantive updates" about the matter.

"The Board’s responsibility is to the taxpayers, students, and families of this community. When public funds are at issue and credible evidence of misconduct is presented, we expect appropriate and timely action," the statement reads. "The continued delay undermines public confidence and leaves important questions unanswered."

The release states that the District has had "significant financial harm" because of the matter.

The Board of Education is calling for an explanation of the current status of the investigation, clarification regarding any additional information needed from the District, and a timeline for a prosecutorial determination, a news release states.

"The Board respects the independence of the State’s Attorney’s Office and the complexity of prosecutorial decision-making. However, transparency, accountability, and timeliness are essential and expected when public resources are involved," a news release states.

Patch reached out to the school district for additional information and comment, but didn't receive a response.