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Will county PIC officials show low-key reaction to state auditBy TOM TOZERandFRANKLIN SHUFTANWill county Private Industry council (PIC) officials Friday reacted cautiously to news that the agency’s financial dealings will be scrutinized by the Illinois auditor general.Meanwhile, the area’s state senator-elect, who criticized PIC during his recent campaign, said the audit will “allow all rumors, conceptions or misconceptions to be examined once and for all.”Auditor Gen. Robert G. Cronson was ordered Wednesday by the state Senate to begin the investigation of PIC’s finances. Action came through a resolution sponsored by outgoing state Sen. George Sangmeister (D-Mokena).AGENCY PRACTICES in award-' ing contracts and leasing space for its operations have been questioned in recent months.Mark McCormick, executive direc-, of He, said Friday he is “notsure what they’ll be looking at, but I’m willing to cooperate in any way I can.“If there are questions I think it’s* good that they are answered,” hesaid.John Annerino, who as Will county board chairman is empowered to name area businessmen to the 31-member PIC board, said Friday he hopes the audit “will finally clear the air.“I WELCOME it. If Mr. Sangmeister feels it’s necessary, I welcome it. They (PIC) get audited quarterly by (the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) DCCA, so in one way I think it’s duplication ... but basically my comment is I welcome it,” Annerino said.Among the criticisms directed at PIC are that the agency is paying $106,000 in annual rent for a building purchased only 14 months ago for $85,000.The building, located at 227 North Chicago freet in Joliet, is owned byJoliet-area auto dealer John Bays, according to both PIC’s attorney and Joliet Maor John Bourg. But exact details of ownership are concealed in a blind trust.Annerino said DCCA audited PIC shortly after the PIC building issue “popped up.”ALSO, The Star reported last month that the consulting firm Lucien B. Johnson and Associates, of which county board member Glenn Coburn (R-Frankfort) is president, received a $70,000 contract from PIC to devise “industrial retention programs” for area Chambers of Commerce.Bays has close ties to top Will county Republican leaders. Coburn is majority GOP leader on the county board, on which he has served for 18 years. Annerino last week was reelected as county board chairman by the Republican-dominated board.State Sen.-elect Thomas A. Dunn, a Joliet Democrat, had slammed thevJl^ease turn to Page A-2)
Newspaper Details
Orland Park Star
Orland Park, Illinois, US
Fri, Nov 07, 1986
Page 1
Full Page
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AZ, USA 30 Jan 2020
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