County Board chair seeks conflict of interest review in wake of commissioner’s resignation
From Illinois Business Journal news services
EDWARDSVILLE – Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan is asking for a full review of conflict of interest policies of more than 40 other boards and commissions whose members are appointed by the County Board.
The action comes in the wake of controversy over this week’s announced resignation of Andy Economy as commissioner for the Metro East Sanitation District. Economy resigned after revelations that a towing business he owns in Madison had done work for the sanitation district.
The resignation came ahead of the Madison County Board meeting on Wednesday. Prior to the resignation, Dunstan had proposed a resolution calling for the board to vote on Economy’s removal.
Dunstan said a preliminary review of the facts and circumstances involving Economy and his actions as a Metro East Sanitation District commissioner necessitated his removal.
“After learning of Mr. Economy’s failure to disclose work completed at one of his businesses for the Metro East Sanitation District on the Conflict of Interest statement every public official is required to complete, I stated I would ask the County Board to vote on his removal,” Dunstan said in a statement.
“Mr. Economy’s resignation eliminates any appearance of impropriety and allows the Metro East Sanitation District to continue its critical operations without further interruption,” Dunstan stated.
At the end of a short statement issued Wednesday night, Dunstan said he was also asking for the full review of conflict of interest policies of the boards and commissions.
