La Grange Ethics Issue Discussed In Closed Session: Official

LA GRANGE, IL — Members of the La Grange School District 102 board differ over whether they have received an update on a conflict of interest investigation.

The issue involves whether board Vice President Ed Campbell used his position as a board member to promote his business, SafeGuard Surveillance LLC, in sales presentations to other school boards. The company offers coronavirus testing for students.

This week, Campbell commented on the Brookfield Connections Facebook page in response to questions related to the conflict of interest issue.

"The board has been updated on the matter," Campbell said. "Mike (Melendez) and I were able to retain our positions because we got enough votes in the election and enough board members, who have been briefed on the ongoing investigation, voted for us."

Board members have said they would receive an update on the investigation at their May 27 meeting.

Asked about how members got the previous update, Campbell said the board met in closed session regarding the topic. But he said he could not release what was said behind closed doors, other than acknowledge it occurred.

It is unclear under which exception to the state's open meetings law that the board could hold a closed session to discuss a conflict of interest issue.

Campbell referred questions about the exception to Melendez, the board's president. Patch left a message for comment with Melendez.

Member Bessie Boyd, who raised the conflict of interest issue, said she has received no update on the investigation. She said she has been told an update would be offered at the May 27 meeting.

In March, Patch reported on the board meeting in which Boyd questioned whether Campbell had a conflict of interest.