Form the edgarcountywatchdogs.com:
I closed our last article on the Tri-State Fire Protection District with this statement: “Stay tuned for some pretty amazing exposure yet to come!” (Click here for previous article)
I think amazing is an understatement. Mr. Orrico has once again proven that old saying that if it looks and smells like a rat, it must be a rat. Turns out Mr. Orrico is violating yet another law and is no longer even legally a trustee!
In order to be a trustee of a fire district you have to be an “inhabitant” of the district. What is the common legal definition of inhabitant? One who resides actually and permanently in a given place, and has his domicile there, says Blacks Law Dictionary.
So why shouldn’t Mr. Orrico be a Trustee at Tri State FPD? Because he lives in Joliet, Illinois. On April 21, 2015, Mr. Orrico purchased a house in Joliet with his name clearly on the deed. (Click here for copy of the Deed)
Property tax records reflect his primary residence is at the Joliet address by the fact he received the $6,000.00 homeowners exemption on his tax bill which is applied if you claim it as your primary residence. (Click here for copy of property tax records with exemption highlighted)
The property he owns in the Fire District, where he told the DuPage County voter registration people he lived, may be another concern depending on timing. The name on that mailbox sure doesn’t say Orrico. The Dupage County recorder shows he still owns the property, but he did not claim a homeowners exemption on that property. (Click here for DuPage county tax records)
Fire district trustee is not a popular job so one must ask, why did Mr. Orrico want this job in the first place? A contract for his company for three ambulances seems like a good start. Perhaps his well known chummy relationship with the Chief has played a role that benefits them both? Regardless, one thing is for sure, Mr. Orrico is no longer a trustee of the fire district as of April 21, 2015 and any action he took since that date should be closely reviewed for possible legal concerns.
The Fire Protection District Act is very clear. (70 ILCS 705/5) Whenever a member of the elected board of trustees of a fire protection district ceases to be an inhabitant of the district, his or her office shall become immediately vacant.
Not only does the Fire Protection District Act spell this out, so too does the Election Code. (10 ILCS 5/25-2) Sec. 25-2. Events on which an elective office becomes vacant. Every elective office shall become vacant on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term of such office:
(1) The death of the incumbent.
(2) His or her resignation.
(3) His or her becoming a person under legal disability.
(4) His or her ceasing to be an inhabitant of the State; or if the office is local, his or her ceasing to be an inhabitant of the district,So it is very clear, Mr. Orrico is no longer a trustee for the Tri-State FPD, thus a vacancy exists! If he claims otherwise he can explain to the Will County authorities why he committed fraud in applying for the homeowners exemption.
May we suggest his access to the facility be terminated immediately and his keys recovered as to further protect the citizens from any possible future malfeasance.
And once again, Stay tuned for more amazing exposure yet to come that may well lead to the removal of yet another official.
thanks Scott
