Letters to the editor 01-16-25

GLARING CONFLICT

A conflict of interest is generally defined as a situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity. Conflicts of interest can frequently arise in government work. Note that a conflict of interest in itself is not an issue; the concern is in how the conflict is addressed and resolved. As a career state government employee and longtime volunteer in the nonprofit sector, I am very familiar with the topic.

When I started working at my current agency, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, as a grant manager, one of the first things I did was reach out to the agency’s ethics officer to discuss my then-active volunteer work as a member of the board of directors of a social service agency. If the agency applied for any DCEO grants, I would not be involved in any aspect of its application, merit review or reporting processes to ensure the integrity of the taxpayer funds being spent via grant monies.

More recently, I was added to the state of Illinois’ “Revolving Door” list, meaning that if I were to leave my current employment, I would have to receive approval from the Office of the Executive Inspector General before taking any job outside of state government. This process ensures transparency and seeks to prevent conflicts of interest or backhanded dealings.

All grant applicants with DCEO are required to complete a conflict of interest form as part of the application process. When the previously mentioned social service agency applied for a grant through DCEO, even though it was not in my department, it correctly listed me as a potential conflict of interest on the form in the name of transparency.

Let’s counter this with the recent appointment of career alderman Chuck Redpath to the post of city clerk (“An unclear process,” Jan. 8). In his paid position as alderman of Ward 1, he voted in support of his own appointment to an even higher-paid position as city clerk. Not only that, but after he had left the room during discussion, he then had the audacity to call the question on the motion of his own appointment.

This conflict of interest is worth $90,000 a year in taxpayer money.

Jenna Broom

Springfield

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

What a joke. Allowing Chuck Redpath to vote on his own appointment is absurd. Even if it’s legal, that’s the very definition of conflict of interest. I suppose the good news is I finally get a new person to represent my ward, perhaps one who stays in meetings to listen to constituents.

DeAnn Richard

Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

NEED TO RETIRE

I watched City Council on Tuesday night and was disgusted to see that Ward 6 Ald. Jennifer Notariano tried to nominate Josh Langfelder for city clerk. Jim Langfelder lost the mayor’s race, and Josh Langfelder lost the county recorder race.

There’s been a Langfelder in office for most of the past four decades. The city shouldn’t be ruled by dynasties, or people who view being a career politician as a birthright. The people have spoken, and it’s time for the Langfelders to retire or find a real trade. With this city’s history and reputation for public service, there’s surely no shortage of qualified people to run for local office.

Henry Lowell

Springfield

NEED OUTREACH

Because her success is necessary for the success of our city, I have some advice for Mayor Misty Buscher: we need more public outreach. Right now, the lack of public outreach is causing a lot of heartburn for a lot of people. 

As a resident of Ward 1, I can say that Chuck Redpath is qualified for the job of city clerk. My frustration is with the process, not the outcome. Mayoral appointments to boards and commissions require three readings before the council can approve them. However, the process to choose the new clerk was fast-tracked in a single meeting using the amendment process. While I do share in the view that having the clerk’s position filled as quickly as possible was important, the process was not well-explained or communicated to the public. When half of the council members are frustrated or confused, that demonstrates that consensus-building has not occurred. 

Several Ward 1 residents, including myself, have circulated a petition calling for more public outreach, more communication and more consensus-building by the mayor when it comes time to appoint Redpath’s replacement for Ward 1 alderperson. We’re not calling for any expensive or complicated process. Instead, we ask that the mayor post an official public notice that the position is vacant, give instructions for interested applicants to apply and hold a public discussion about how the appointment will occur. That’s it – just what every mayor up until now has done. 

As of writing of this letter, the mayor’s office has published a notification on its Facebook page, giving applicants until Jan. 21 to apply. While this is a good first step, our new city clerk should also be posting the vacancy as an official public notice, in keeping with his duties. The length of time given is not ideal, but it is better than nothing. 

Clearly word has spread that the public is signing on to our petition. We will leave the petition live until the position is filled: https://chng.it/vfyxGBYdKz.

Steven Simpson-Black

Springfield

DONE DEAL

It was crazy how Chuck Redpath kept going into the side room to talk to his family. This was a done deal. They were all there to celebrate.

Kaylee Freeman

Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes

FILED A LAWSUIT

I recently raised serious concerns about Chuck Redpath’s appointment as Springfield’s city clerk. I emailed Mayor Misty Buscher and the Springfield City Council, stating my firm belief that the process violated Illinois law and raised significant ethical questions. The Illinois Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act (50 ILCS 105/3) clearly prevents public officials from creating a financial interest in their own appointments, and the Illinois Municipal Code has specific rules to ensure that appointments are lawful and maintain public trust.

Mr. Redpath’s participation in the vote that secured his own appointment directly contradicts these provisions. The law is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and preserve public trust in government decisions. By voting on his own appointment and ignoring the Municipal Code’s requirements, Mr. Redpath undermined the integrity of the process and may have violated both ethical and legal standards.

Frustrated by the lack of action after informing the city of my belief that appointing Redpath as city clerk was improper, I decided to act swiftly. This week, I filed a lawsuit to challenge the appointment and requested an injunction to prevent Mr. Redpath from continuing in the role of city clerk. While the City Council has moved on, it is now up to the courts to step in and uphold the transparency and fairness that our community demands.

This issue is not just about one appointment; it’s about making sure our local government follows the law and upholds the highest ethical standards. The people of Springfield deserve nothing less.
Calvin Christian III

Springfield

This article appears in A critical loss for District 186.