Trustee H.

Bob Demopoulos
April 3, 2015

Honorable Lisa Madigan

Illinois Attorney General
100 West Randolph Street
Thompson Center
Chicago, Illinois 60601

Honorable Anita Alvarez

Cook County States Attorney
69 West Washington Street
Suite 3200
Chicago, Illinois 60602

ATTN: Public Officials Investigations

ATTN: Special Prosecutions Bureau

RE:

Formal Complaint against Mayor Hubert Hermanek, North Riverside, Illinois

Misuse of Public Funds for political party / campaign purposes [Village Newsletter]

To Whom It May Concern,

Please be advised that my name is H. Bob Demopoulos and I am an elected Village
Trustee in the Village of North Riverside. Our Village pays for and publishes a quarterly
informational Village Newsletter using taxpayer funds. A few days ago, under the direction of
Mayor Hubert Hermanek, the Village published and disseminated such a Newsletter.
Shockingly, the Mayor used approximately 25% of the publically funded publication to support
his political partys position on key issues and its candidates in the upcoming April 7, 2015
municipal election.
I enclose the following:
A. The Newsletter
B. The recent political piece distributed by the Mayors party (V.I.P) which identifies
campaign issues, particularly the issue of privatization of the fire department.
The opposition party (of which I am a member) is the Save Our Firefighters Party. The
key issue in this election is the privatization of the fire department. The Newsletter does not
frame any neutral discussion on the issue. To the contrary, it only sets forth the V.I.P. position
on the issue and highlights and supports the V.I.P. candidates. This is a clear violation of the
Election Codes INTERFERENCE PROHIBITION of 10 ILCS 5/9-25.1. The Code prohibits the
use of public funds for such advocacy FOR any particular candidate or proposition.
I respectfully request that your Department investigate North Riverside Mayor Hermanek
(as well as any other violators acting in concert with him) for any possible violations of the law. I
believe that his use of public funds in this manner is in violation of at least the following:

A.

THE ELECTION CODE (Interference Prohibition): 10 ILCS 5/9-25.1 (b). Use of

public funds to urge any elector to vote for or against any candidate or proposition.
B. THE CRIMINAL CODE: (Official Misconduct): 720 ILCS 5/33-3. (2) & (3). Performs
an act that is unlawful or in excess of his authority.
C. Ethics Code Violations;
D. Other possible crimes including Misuse of Public Funds (for political purposes) and
Misappropriation of Public Funds in violation of the Illinois Constitution or any Illinois
Statute or local ordinance.

If any additional information is required, please contact the undersigned. Of course, I,

and other witnesses, will make ourselves available for any investigation that ensues. Our goal
is to maintain the integrity of the political process, while insuring that public funds are not utilized
for political campaigns. We support any decision by your offices to (1) obtain compliance with
the law; (2) obtain restitution from the violators for the Village of North Riverside; and (3)
prosecute the violators as a deterrent for the future.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Respectfully Submitted,

H. Bob Demopoulos
Village Trustee - North Riverside
2257 S. DesPlaines Ave.
Unit 1 NW
North Riverside, IL. 60546
(708) 243-7481

In fact, you will be safer than ever.

It's really a very simple, straightforward plan with extraordinary results for
everyone. This issue has nothing at all to do with politics. It has everything to
do with eliminating waste and using Village funds wisely without sacrificing
safety and keeping the excellent services from every department in tact.

Oid you know that right now, there are 2 Paramedics on each shin working only the
ambulance. We aim to put G Paramedics, cross-trained as Firefighters, on each shin
so the same people can work both the fire engine and the ambulance together,
resulting in bener fire services and a savings to you.
<,

Is it SO terrible to give you more service for less money?

Give me the opportunity to

answer your questions.
If you are confused about the current fire
department situation, please call me at
447-4211.Or stop in. My door is always
open to you. This is not about politics or
unions at all. It is about two issues that
affect all of us: Village public safety and
Village finances. To provide the best fire
and paramedic services under Fire Chief
Brian Basek while keeping all current
Village services in tact, this is the best
possible way to proceed successfully.
Saving lives. Saving money.

YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A FIRE DEPARTMENT

FULLY-STAFFEDWITH TRAINED PROFESSIONALS
~

It's the question on everyone's mind, the issue everyone is worried

about-especially since the truth is being twisted and distorted to
scare more people every day.There is one and only one answer:
you will always have the very best public safety services available.
In this case, the service will be better than ever AND it will come at
a savings to the Village.

24/7

How is that possible? It's very simple.

The PSI paramedics you have relied on to save
lives and offer compassionate care in North
Riverside for more than 30 years will continue
to serve you in an even greater capacity.
Each PSI paramedic is already cross-trained
and certified as a firefighter and paramedicthey are able to do so much more for our
Village right now for less money because we
can eliminate the exorbitant costs of
overtime, pensions, health insurance and
.
.
umon gnevances.
We will never "shop around" for the lowest
price when it comes to your safety...
it's too important!

Are the current

firefighters the
same as our
paramedics?

NO

The Fire Department is

made up of 6 paramedics
and 12 firefighters all under
the supervision of Fire Chief
Brian Basek, but their roles
are very different. Our
paramedics are PSI
employees who have worked
for North Riverside the past
30 years. You have come to
know and appreciate them
over three decades as they
are the ones who respond
whenever you need an
ambulance or medical
assistance. Our firefighters
solely work the fire equipment. Most are not trained
to work the ambulance.
We want to change this.
We need a fully-staffed fire
department that can do both
without sacrificing other
services such as our
Handyman, Senior Snow
Plowing, Public Works and
Rec programs.

Is this plan safe?

YES

The skilled and highlytrained paramedics that

have served North Riverside
for over 30 years will still be
here for you 2417.That will
not change. But there is even
more good news: These
professionals are also trained
to fight fires and can serve
North Riverside at a savings.
Gone are the hundreds of
thousands of dollars spent
on unnecessary overtime
costs each year.
Gone are the costly pension
and health insurance costs
hindering our financial
future.
Gone are the numerous
union grievances and costly
legal fees to defend them
that are sucking the life out
of other Village services.
This plan does not put lives
or property at risk, but just
the opposite-it continues to
make North Riverside a safe
and affordable community in
which to live, something that
should make all of us very
proud.

Are our
paramedics
qualified to fight
fires?

YES
Our current PSI paramedics
are trained at the same fire
academy as our firefighters
but the union contract with
our current firefighters will
NOT allow paramedics to
respond to fire calls and use
their expertise and training.
There is even a union
grievance on record against
one of our paramedics who
arrived first on the scene of
an emergency call and put
out the fire!
We need all of our Fire
Department personnel in
North Riverside to be
cross-trained as both
paramedics and firefighters
at no cost to you.
This dual-training benefits
you immediately. Our
current paramedics!
firefighters are ready to
serve the people of North
Riverside in any emergency
that might arise.

YOU DESERVE THE BEST SERVICES. AND ALL OF THE SERVICES.

"This is not about unions, union-busting or even politics," stressed the Mayor.
"This is about the best service at the best price. Any resident with questions is
encouraged to call me or stop in. My door is open to anyone who wants the truth."