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's probably a rat. It turns out he’s not only violating rules—he's breaking the law and is no longer even legally qualified to be a trustee.
To serve as a trustee in a fire protection 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 a copy of the Deed)
Property tax records show that his primary residence is at the Joliet address, as he received the $6,000 homeowner's exemption, which is only available if the property is your primary residence. (Click here for a copy of the property tax records with the 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 at that address doesn’t have his name on it, and while the DuPage County recorder shows he still owns the property, he didn’t claim a homeowners exemption there. (Click here for DuPage County tax records)
Why would someone want to be a fire district trustee, especially when it's not a popular job? Well, there's a contract for three ambulances involving his company, and he has a well-known friendly relationship with the chief. That could be more than coincidence. Regardless, one thing is clear: Mr. Orrico was no longer a legal trustee of the Tri-State FPD as of April 21, 2015. Any actions he took after that date should be carefully reviewed for potential legal issues.
The Fire Protection District Act is very clear. (70 ILCS 705/5) states: "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 make this clear, but so does the Election Code. (10 ILCS 5/25-2) says: "Every elective office shall become vacant on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term of such office: ... (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's crystal clear—Mr. Orrico is no longer a trustee of the Tri-State FPD. A vacancy exists! If he claims otherwise, he’ll need to explain to Will County authorities why he fraudulently claimed a homeowner's exemption.
We recommend that his access to the facility be immediately revoked, and his keys be taken to protect the public from any future misconduct.
And once again, stay tuned for more exposure that may lead to the removal of another official.
Thanks, Scott
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