From edgarcountywatchdogs.com:
We ended 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 if it looks like a rat and smells like a rat, it probably is a rat. It turns out he's violating another law—and more importantly, he's no longer even legally qualified to be a trustee!
To serve as a trustee in a fire district, you must be an "inhabitant" of that district. According to Black’s Law Dictionary, an inhabitant is defined as "one who resides actually and permanently in a given place, and has his domicile there."
So why isn't Mr. Orrico eligible to be a trustee at Tri-State FPD? Because he lives in Joliet, Illinois. On April 21, 2015, he purchased a home in Joliet, and his name is clearly listed on the deed. (Click here for copy of the Deed)
Property tax records confirm that his primary residence is in Joliet, as he received a $6,000 homeowners exemption on his tax bill—something only available if the property is your main home. (Click here for copy of property tax records with exemption highlighted)
The property he owns within the fire district, where he previously told DuPage County voter registration officials he lived, may also raise questions depending on timing. The mailbox there doesn’t even have his name, and while the DuPage County recorder shows he still owns the property, he didn’t claim a homeowners exemption on it. (Click here for DuPage County tax records)
Fire district trustees aren’t exactly high-profile positions, so one has to wonder—why did Mr. Orrico want this job in the first place? A contract for three ambulances from his company might be a good start. Could his well-known friendship with the fire chief have played a role in benefiting both parties? Regardless, one thing is clear: as of April 21, 2015, Mr. Orrico was no longer a legal resident of the district, meaning he was no longer qualified to hold the position.
The Fire Protection District Act makes this 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 clarify this, but the Election Code does too: (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."It’s crystal clear: Mr. Orrico is no longer a valid trustee of the Tri-State Fire Protection District. That means a vacancy exists! If he claims otherwise, he’ll need to explain to Will County authorities why he fraudulently claimed a homeowners exemption.
We strongly recommend that his access to the facility be immediately revoked, and all keys should be retrieved to protect the public from any potential future misconduct.
And once again, stay tuned for more amazing exposure that could lead to the removal of yet another official.
Thanks, Scott
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