* Robert Herguth at the Sun-Times…
Rosemont and the Stephens family who have run the northwest suburb since its founding are again under scrutiny, with the FBI questioning current and former village employees, sources have told the Chicago Sun-Times. […]
In 2015, Rosemont officials awarded a contract to Monterrey Security Consultants, Inc., to oversee security at public venues including Allstate Arena, the Rosemont Theatre and the village-owned Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Records show Monterrey has been paid roughly $5 million for the work, which was awarded without Rosemont officials seeking competitive bids from other security firms. […]
They said the FBI’s interest appeared to be wide-ranging and included questions about whether members of the department — made up of cross-trained police officers and firefighters — illegally used and distributed narcotic painkillers.
The sources described a raucous, at times violent culture within the public safety department, with off-duty fights, steroid use and excessive-force incidents that yielded no punishment. […]
“Like anything, you’re going to have a few bad apples,” said [Mayor Brad Stephens], whose father, Rosemont’s founding mayor, Donald E. Stephens Sr., was dogged by allegations of organized-crime ties and repeatedly investigated by federal authorities before his 2007 death.
Lots more there, so click here.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Rosemont spokesperson Ryan McLaughlin…
The FBI has not contacted the Mayor of Rosemont, nor any current Village employees regarding the Monterrey Security contract or the public safety department. The Chicago Sun-Times story is fraught with uncorroborated sources and unsubstantiated charges and includes inaccuracies. They appear to originate from disgruntled former employees of the Village. Rosemont takes any and all allegations of misconduct seriously. The Sun-Times story appears to be nothing more than hearsay.
I asked them to tell me what’s inaccurate about the story.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Gary Mack for Rosemont this time…
The allegations against Rosemont are “all” inaccurate. They are baseless charges founded on hearsay of nameless sources. There is no investigation into Rosemont that we know of or have ever even remotely heard about. As to the culture of the police department, the Sun-Times description is patently wrong. Rosemont’s Police Department is one of best, most professionally run in the state. Indeed, for six months now the department has been getting ready to launch a random drug testing program.
As to the contract with Monterrey, Rosemont did not competitively bid it, true, but anyone who knows the village knows that typically we do not bid contracts. We review credentials and make informed decisions. Rosemont is under absolutely no obligation to bid contracts. The current system has served the village well, making Rosemont the envy of municipal government everywhere.
Rosemont’s attorneys are reviewing the irresponsible Sun-Times story and we are weighing our options.
- D - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:06 am:
The list of IL politicos not under federal investigation continues to grow smaller. #twill
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:15 am:
===Records show Monterrey has been paid roughly $5 million for the work, which was awarded without Rosemont officials seeking competitive bids from other security firms. […]
They said the FBI’s interest appeared to be wide-ranging and included questions about whether members of the department — made up of cross-trained police officers and firefighters — illegally used and distributed narcotic painkillers.===
Seems to be more about the criminality of actors… not an ongoing criminal enterprise.
Big distinction.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:21 am:
Yes OW, as it reads. Unless some of that $5 million turned back around to the people that awarded it. Remains to be seen.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:26 am:
===Unless some of that $5 million turned back around to the people that awarded it.===
Could be, but it reads as though the no-bid is the issue(?)
A kickback on that, that remains to be seen. It’s wide ranging, but it reads as a $5 mil no bid raising eyebrows.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:27 am:
== See to be more about the criminality of actors… not an ongoing criminal enterprise. ==
With all due respect, I don’t think the Feds are thinking: corruption in Rosemeont? Must be just a one off thing.
- PJ - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:29 am:
Yeah, the FBI doesn’t usually come to town just to investigate rent-a-cops using painkillers.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:29 am:
===I don’t think the Feds are thinking: corruption in Rosemeont? Must be just a one off thing.===
How have other investigations gone?
Be specific.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:31 am:
===the FBI doesn’t usually come to town just to investigate rent-a-cops using painkillers.===
Good thing the FBI’s role is only to investigate and that innocent until proven guilty is still a thing?
- Roger Abbott - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:31 am:
It’s interesting that one lobbyist involved in this federal inquiry is also a lobbyist for the company under the microscope in the other inquiry.
I wonder if one investigation spawned the other.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:34 am:
== How have other investigations gone?
Be specific. ==
Fine, the Feds haven’t gotten the Stephens yet, but that like saying Ed Burke is going to be safe because the Feds haven’t gotten to him in the past. And, just because the Feds don’t prove something doesn’t mean its not real.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:39 am:
===Feds haven’t gotten the Stephens yet===
See, that’s that “innocent until proven”.
I think they went to court last time and Stephens won.
Not kinda won, or let off the hook. Won.
===just because the Feds don’t prove something doesn’t mean its not real.===
So the law doesn’t matter if you think hard enough against someone?
Again, be it this, or *any* person, group, anything….
It’s this mentality that “you must be guilty… “
We can wait. It’s interesting news, even as reported, but, end what Rich grabbed… still some steps are needed to make conclusions
- D - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:43 am:
Willy, you on the dole in Rosemont or something? Free meals and concerts for ya?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:47 am:
===you on the dole in Rosemont or something? Free meals and concerts for ya?===
I don’t think so. If I was, I’ve missed some great things, lol
We had a past governor who called everyone he didn’t like corrupt, or disagreed with him corrupt, or anyone who looked at him cross eyed… corrupt.
I’m done with “they’re corrupt” as this immediate default.
- revvedup - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:47 am:
Rosemont is a mini-Chicago, with politicians doling out favors for years. Rosemont has a “Dept. of Public Safety”, where cops and firefighters are cross-trained, so the “rent-a-cops” are off-duty Rosemont public safety officers hired by Monterrey (to get/keep the contract).
- A guy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:49 am:
Don’t believe you have to “bid” professional services, but many munis do to satisfy a best practice suggestion. If they’re happy with the service and the pricing, it would seem to be their prerogative who they hire for this. For the number of facilities and activities there, $5M doesn’t sound like a huge number.
The steroids and off-duty fights is a crazy twist. An itty-bitty sized town like that with all the money passing through it and a monarchy style of government…yeah, that’s going to attract attention.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:50 am:
===“Like anything, you’re going to have a few bad apples,”===
Ladies and gentlemen, I’ll be brief. The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests. But you can’t hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn’t we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn’t this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg - isn’t this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:51 am:
== you must be guilty…==
Al Capone was only convicted of tax evasion. Does that mean he wasn’t a murderer? What a court of law says has nothing to do with the reality on the ground.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:51 am:
- 47th Ward -
I thought you were Pre-Med?
Well played.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:53 am:
===Does that mean he wasn’t a murderer? What a court of law says has nothing to do with the reality on the ground.===
Why have laws?
That’s what you’re advocating?
Let’s have “reality on the ground” kinda system?
- Roman - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 9:57 am:
== The security work formerly was handled in-house, and was a significant source of income for many off-duty Rosemont cops. ==
That looks to be what got the ball rolling. Some Rosemont cops lost a lucrative side gig to Monterrey and were ticked off, so they went to the feds. And then they doubled down by accusing Rosemont of running a renegade public safety operation with drug abuse and excessive force issues.
Not sure if the no-bid contract violates any state or federal laws, but as we all know, once the G starts sniffing around you never know what they’ll turn up.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:07 am:
== Why have laws? ==
No that not what I am advocating. My point is merely that I am not going to believe someone is innocent just because no one has gone to jail yet.
- Ebenezer - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:09 am:
OW -
Rosemont has 4200 residents.
Mayor has a reported salary of $260,000/yr.
Nephew runs the convention center - $255,600/yr.
Another nephew runs public safety.
Daily Herald reports 10 family members pulling $2MM in payroll.
Criminality is for the courts to decide. But is it acceptable behavior for a public official?
Second question, if one family has gained such control over the resources of a town with such a small population and lucrative real estate (not generally owned by the residents) would you describe that as a functioning democracy?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:15 am:
===Criminality is for the courts to decide. But is it acceptable behavior for a public official?===
Because you or others or the general public’s accepted levels are not Rosemont.. they’re… criminal?
What criminality is in those facts?
===Second question, if one family has gained such control over the resources of a town with such a small population and lucrative real estate (not generally owned by the residents) would you describe that as a functioning democracy?===
Are you saying that Rosemont is not following the laws of campaigns or that the elections in Rosemont are illegal or illegitimate?
What you, or others, may not like, doesn’t make it illegal.
Do other towns of 4,200 have the same revenues going in and out as Rosemont?
How about facilities?
Hotels? Location?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:16 am:
===I am not going to believe someone is innocent just because no one has gone to jail yet.===
Well, I hope before you send them to jail you indict, have a trial, there’s a conviction, then you get your jail?
- Chicagonk - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:25 am:
Rosemont is an unusual town. It’s been very successful and driven a lot of economic development and yet the way it’s run definitely unorthodox.
- Amalia - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:29 am:
maybe the mayor needs the money from the double dip.
- Steve - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:31 am:
Wouldn’t you know: Danny Solis’ name pops up in the story because of his brother Santiago Solis…
- Anyone Remember - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:38 am:
If it were Roger not Mike, Don not Bradley, one would wonder about the recent shuffle in the 20th House district … oversight comes to the Kingdom of Stephens?
- Anyone Remember - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:41 am:
And Kass mentions DeLeo in 3 2 1 …
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:43 am:
== Well, I hope before you send them to jail you indict, have a trial, there’s a conviction, then you get your jail? ==
Ok, I never said I wouldn’t. Ya sure you’re not on the take in Rosement? I prefer 22nd and Oakley for my old world experiences.
Lisa Madigan opposed allowing Rosemont a Casino many years back. Should she have waited until the Stehpens were indicted in a court of law too?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-03-26-0403260284-story.html
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:48 am:
===Ya sure you’re not on the take in Rosemont?===
If i was, I guess I’m horrible at it, no tickets, meals, money…
===I prefer 22nd and Oakley for my old world experiences.===
Life is about choices and preferences.
===Lisa Madigan opposed allowing Rosemont a Casino many years back. Should she have waited until the Stehpens were indicted in a court of law too?===
(Sigh)
The fallout after *all* that is the story beyond the story.
Ask all the actors in that. That’s a story.
Vetting for a casino isn’t the same as… criminality or indictments… trials or convictions.
Your point is probably best made that the fallout was the political fallout after.. while in bordering Des Plaines, Rosemont made out pretty good with a casino next door.
- SSL - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:52 am:
More investigations in Rosemont? I’d be more surprised if the feds weren’t looking at it. It’s a family run business, and has been since day 1. The past legal entanglements are well documented. The desire to have a casino derailed by the inference of mob ties. Always a lot of smoke, but the feds can’t find enough to yell fire.
- Michael Westen - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:23 am:
OW is apparently the only person allowed to have an opinion about corruption in Rosemont. An opinion by Capitol Fax commenters won’t send anyone to jail. It is an opinion, which last I checked anyone is entitled to have, even if it differs from OW’s.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:26 am:
47, hilarious! Too bad you couldn’t capture the wink in the middle of that speech.
So shocking this would come up in Rosemont. Good thing Stephens is now in the GA as well.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:32 am:
===is apparently the only person allowed to have an opinion about corruption in Rosemont. An opinion by Capitol Fax commenters won’t send anyone to jail. It is an opinion, which last I checked anyone is entitled to have, even if it differs from ===
The victimhood is strong with this one.
“Please let me have an opinion, but please don’t force me to defend my own opinion”
Is that how it works, lol
The back and forth is what makes this blog what it is.
Defending your opinion, that’s part of things.
Hope you felt better… wasting time to have an opinion in a comment…without giving your opinion.
- Demoralized - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:33 am:
@Michael Westen:
Stop being a victim. Go whine somewhere else.
- Amalia - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:35 am:
simple question, was there open bidding for the security services, or not? seems that this is all just one big how ya doin’ scheme.
- PublicServant - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:50 am:
===I asked them to tell me what’s inaccurate about the story.===
Rosemont Response: You’re a curious guy. We’re sending an associate who will help you with your inquisitive nature. /s
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 12:18 pm:
Stephens: “Like anything, you’re going to have a few bad apples,”
McLaughlin: “”What bad apples? Nothing to see here, keep moving.”
- Ebenezer - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 12:34 pm:
OW,
I’m just trying to say we should hold public officials to a higher standard than “not in jail.”
you are custodians of the public’s money. Act like it.
I deliberately set illegality aside, because I think that too low a bar.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 12:38 pm:
===I’m just trying to say we should hold public officials to a higher standard than “not in jail.”===
What standard are they not making?
What rules or laws or standard are they not meeting?
===you are custodians of the public’s money. Act like it.===
Compare another town of 4,200 folks that has more hotel rooms than residents, a world class theatre, a world class arena, has minor league hockey, baseball, softball…
Find *me* that town of 4,200 and set that standard.
===I deliberately set illegality aside, because I think that too low a bar.===
Elections set a bar too. Voters seem pleased. That not good enough?
- JT11505 - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 1:06 pm:
Ebenezer,
Lazy cynicism isn’t analysis or a thoughtful response. Try a bit harder.
The Stephens family may or may not be corrupt, but without actual evidence just saying so doesn’t make it so.
- JP Altgeld - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 2:21 pm:
@OW
“Compare another town of 4,200 folks that has more hotel rooms than residents, a world class theatre, a world class arena, has minor league hockey, baseball, softball…”
I’m sure none of that has to do with the fact that they share a border with the busiest airport in the world and the third largest city in the US.
Give me a break.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 2:28 pm:
===I’m sure none of that has to do with the fact that they..===
Des Plaines
Schiller Park
Bensenville
Harwood Heights
Niles
Should I go on?
Give *you* a break, LOL… if you can’t find one, it’s probably because there isn’t one.
I can’t help that.
- OneMan - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 3:02 pm:
“Like anything, you’re going to have a few bad apples,”
or
“The allegations against Rosemont are “all” inaccurate.”
not sure which one is true but I don’t think they both can be.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 3:02 pm:
“When Rosemont pulls Gary Mack out… “
- Just Me - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 3:03 pm:
===Rosemont is under absolutely no obligation to bid contracts.===
This is horrible public policy. Is Rosemont somehow exempt from the $25,000 threshold for non-bids?
- 47th Ward - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 3:04 pm:
===Rosemont’s attorneys are reviewing the irresponsible Sun-Times story and we are weighing our options.===
“So, if you mention extortion again, I’ll have your legs broken.”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 3:08 pm:
- 47th Ward -
1) are you watching that film on a bar stool someplace?
2) why didn’t you invite me
LOL, that scene in Wormer’s office is dead pan funny genius.
- Anyone Remember - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 3:08 pm:
Just Me -
“Is Rosemont somehow exempt from the $25,000 threshold for non-bids?” Question - did Rosemont vote to be Home Rule?
- Amalia - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 3:15 pm:
Rosemont does not competitively bid. And there we have it.