Metro East Sun

While Debbie Ming-Mendosa was the Madison County Clerk, she permitted the IBEW Union Local 749, Carpenters Local 664, and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 553 to use public funds, property, and credit for nonpublic purposes, which appears to be in direct conflict with Article VIII, Section 1(a) of the Illinois Constitution.

This information should be turned over to the Madison County State’s Attorney and State Board of Elections for possible prosecution.

Receipts provided under the Freedom of Information Act:

• January 2022, the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 553 tendered a check to the county clerk for “election programming for union election” and “420 ballots plus test deck”

• July 2022, Carpenters Local 664 tendered a check to the county clerk for “election programming for union election” and “300 ballots” and “12 test ballots”

• July 2022, IBEW Union Local 749 tendered a check to the county clerk for “election programming for union election” and “500 ballots” and “150 absentee envelopes 3 sizes 50 each”

It is our understanding the actual voting machines were also used, removed from the clerk’s office for the union vote and returned at a later date.

County funds, property, and credit were used for a nonpublic purpose, which gives the appearance of voting machines being left unsecured.

This is only one year’s worth of information, we will FOIA ten years’ worth and provide an update.

*Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler submitted the FOIA request and provided these documents to us for this article.

This story was originally published by Edgar County Watchdogs. Read the original HERE.