Lake County Credit Card Policies Reconsidered Amid Spending Probe

WAUKEGAN, IL — Lake County officials are considering how to change credit card policies amid an investigation into Board Chair Aaron Lawlor's use of a county-issued card for personal expenses. During a meeting of the board's Finance and Administrative Committee Wednesday, board members said findings and recommendations are expected to be presented to the full board by the end of next month.

Lawlor, 36, this week extended "until further notice" a leave of absence from his position as board and said he would not be running for re-election, hours before prosecutors disclosed the existence of an investigation into his spending.

The Vernon Hills resident announced July 30 that he had entered treatment for an unspecified addiction. The disclosure came about a month prior a deadline to resolve a $15,000 fine from the Illinois State Board of Elections for his political committee's failure to file three quarters of financial disclosures.

According to current rules, each elected member of the Lake County board can be issued a procurement card, also known as a "P-card", to be used for official expenses. Spending is reviewed by administrative staff, and the board chair signs off to provide final approval.

Committee Chair Mike Rummel (R-Lake Forest) said after the meeting that he would favor eliminating procurement cards for elected officials entirely, according to Pioneer Press.

The 12th District board member said there needed to be stricter oversight and established rules govern the use of the county issued cards by board members, "because today there is not a policy that governs 'P-cards' and prescribes a process for me or staff to follow."

County officials told the Lake County News-Sun Thursday that three checks from Lawlor reimbursing the county for personal expenses had been received but had not cleared. In other cases, claimed expenses did not have accompanying receipts.

According to the Daily Herald, 17 of the 21 members on the board have county-issued cards, but Lawlor's has been cancelled. Records show that the cards have been used to pay for meals, limousine rides, airline tickets and other services that members have declared to be work related, the paper reported. When receipts are provided, staff must take the word of elected officials that the expenses were proper.

In Lawlor's case, County Administrator Barry Burton was responsible for reconciling receipts to expenses but not evaluating which expenses were work-related. However, the Daily Herald reported Burton has not signed off on invoices from May and June because of missing receipts.

Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim, Acting Lake County Board Chair Carol Calabresa (R-Libertyville) and Sheriff Mark Curran called in an unidentified third party agency to conduct an independent investigation into allegations that Lawlor used his county card for personal purchases.

Earlier: Amid Rehab, Investigation, Aaron Lawlor Won't Seek 4th Term »

According to Lake County's procurement card policy, "improper use may require relinquishing the P-Card and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination and criminal prosecution."

Local Republican leaders have until Aug. 23 to slate a replacement for Lawlor in order for another name to appear on the ballot opposite Democratic Party nominee Julie Simpson, of Vernon Hills.

Aug. 22 Update: Illinois State Police Investigate Aaron Lawlor's Credit Card Spending