Whistleblower Jim Capparelli Busted Councilman Mudron, Here's Why

JOLIET, IL — Joliet City Councilman Pat Mudron realizes he is the subject of a criminal investigation that may lead to felony charges from the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Mudron is accused of using his political power and influence to benefit his insurance business, Mudron Kane on Joliet's Republic Avenue.

This summer, Joliet Patch broke two blockbuster stories involving the two-term Joliet City Councilman: Mudron had kept quiet about his $248,000 no-bid insurance contract from the Rialto Square Theatre while serving as the Rialto's Joliet Council liaison.

As for the second contract, Patch broke the news that Mudron has handled the insurance contract for the Joliet Area Historical Museum in recent years.

Joliet Patch has reached out to Mudron seeking comment for this story. In Patch's two previous stories this summer, Mudron did not return calls seeking comment.

During a recent interview at City Hall, Joliet Patch asked City Manager Jim Capparelli why he chose to be a whistleblower rather than let Mudron's actions in gaining multiple business contracts for himself slide.

Patch also wanted to know if Capparelli has any expectation regarding the outcome of the Attorney General's Office investigation into the matter involving Mudron.

"No, but I find all this very disappointing," Capparelli answered. "The citizens should expect more from their elected officials. It's up to the Attorney General and various state and federal agencies to take appropriate action, and certainly nothing precludes the Will County State's Attorney (Jim Glasgow) from taking action."

"He's voting on the (city) budget that funds both the Rialto and the Museum," Capparelli explained. "I turned it over to our inspector general because I felt I had a duty and responsibility as city manager."

But why did Capparelli believe he needed to take measures to have the inspector general classify him as a bona fide Illinois whistleblower under state law?

At the moment, Capparelli's city manager's contract is set to expire at the end of 2022, which marks his second year at Joliet's city manager. A majority vote from the Joliet City Council is needed to ensure that Capparelli remains in his current position.

"It's someone who has the ability to take adverse personnel action against me," Capparelli said of Mudron. "He's voting on the budget that funds both the Rialto and the Museum, and then he's getting paid from those entities for work. This is self-dealing and according to statute, that would be a Class 4 felony. "

Capparelli said that if Mudron had made it clear to city officials that he was approached about handling the insurance contracts for the Rialto as well as the Joliet Area Historical Museum, this whole controversy could have been unnecessary.

Instead, Mudron kept both of his contracts hush-hush, and he chose not to tell anyone, according to Capparelli.

Since Joliet Patch broke the news in July, Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk has removed Mudron as the Council's liaison to the Rialto Square Theatre.

"If you abstain, you're good," Capparelli said. "It's nothing."

Joliet Patch Related Coverage:

$248,000 Rialto Contract For Pat Mudron Violated Ethics Code: IG

Mudron Violates Ethics Law With Joliet Museum Insurance Deal: IG