No Pledge of Allegiance at COD and inaccurate minutes

This blog was originally posted in 2015. I am adding this note, and re-posting today in response to all the uproar over disrespecting the flag. COD now has a new president and 6 new board members. They added a flag to the room and the Pledge of Allegiance to each COD board agenda in the spring of 2015.

You also might want to check out what has been happening in school district U-46. illinoisfamily.org/uncategorized/conservatives-needed-show/

— original posted January 23, 2015 —

Incredibly, only Vice Chairman Kathy Hamilton stood for the pledge of allegiance when Jan Shaw of the West Suburban Patriots gave the pledge during public comment. The College of DuPage didn’t have a flag, nor do they do the pledge at the start of the monthly board meetings. It was suggested that the COD board thinks the pledge is “offensive.” 6 of 7 Trustees, President Robert Breuder, and ten senior managers of college refused to stand up for the pledge on Dec 18, 2014.

At the January 2015 board meeting, the flag was in the corner, but still no pledge on the agenda. Jan lead the Pledge again during public comment. Trustee Hamilton asked for a correction of the December 2014 minutes. The minutes say “Jan Shaw spoke regarding Tax Levy” – Kathy said they should add that Jan lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes also state that “Matthew Tyrmand spoke regarding Treasurer’s report” which he did. But he also addressed Trustee McGuire’s November rant comparing the Watchdogs and the Tea Party to Nazzis.

Trustee McGuire’s November rant

The board voted 6-1 to accept the December minutes as is.

College of DuPage (COD) – Timeline

2009	Dr. Breuder was hired as COD President (recently left Harper College, having received a vote of no confidence from their faculty)
Fiscal 2012	These 4 for profit operation run by the College of DuPage lost $1.8+ million dollars. Waterleaf Restaurant ($576,000) WDCB jazz radio station ($592,000) MAC entertainment center ($519,000) Inn at Water’s Edge hotel ($152,000)
December 2013 (discovered in 2014)	$9,254.63 was spent on a Christmas gift of steak and ribs to the Senior Management Team ($2,345.03), a Senior Management Team Holiday party wasted $3,572.40 including $1,553 in booze, a Holiday Board of Trustees dinner ($2,331.60) included $807 in booze, and a Board of Trustees “retreat” dinner squandered another $1,005.60.
3/7/2014(discovered in 2016)	Erin Birt told Dr. Breuder that his contract had been extended by the board majority until June 2019. Listed in Breuder’s law suit document.edgarcountywatchdogs
4/25/2014(discovered in 2016)	Proposed Breuder separation agreement attached to an email. Published by the Edgar County Watchdogs on 1/19/2016. Note: the board voted on the separation agreement in January 2015 (twice) edgarcountywatchdogs and edgarcountywatchdogs
5/22/2014	Adam Andrzejewski Founder & Chairman of “For The Good of Illinois” called for the College of Dupage (COD) to freeze property taxes and Student fees. According to the data he collected, since 2008, COD hiked property taxes by 59% while home values declined. He also questioned the wisdom of paying COD President Robert Breuder nearly $500,000 yearly.
June 2014	COD lost a $20 million state construction grant because Breuder’s email became public and Governor Quinn rescinded the offer.
July 2014	COD was exposed for paying up to $27,000 in fees and private membership dues at the presidents shooting club – never authorized
September 2014	COD won a national “Golden Hammer” award for hiding $96 million in “Impressed” accounting payments that weren’t disclosed to the public or trustees.
9/18/2014	The faculty at the College of DuPage has passed a no confidence vote on the current School President, Dr. Robert Breuder. edgarcountywatchdogs
October 2014	COD was forced to publically acknowledge “possible fraud” in the radio station for possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars.
11/20/2014	McGuire gives a 20 minute rant comparing the “TEA Party” to Nazis youtube
12/18/2014	Jan Shaw led the Pledge of Allegiance during public comments, She supplied her own flag since there was none in the room. Kathy Hamilton was the only board member to stand. youtube
1/15/2015	COD made the front page of the Chicago Tribune “College of DuPage employed radio engineer despite theft conviction”
1/22/2015	COD board voted to amend COD president Dr Breuder’s contract, giving Dr. Breuder a $762,868.77 Golden Parachute when he retires on March 31, 2016. Jan Shaw led the Pledge again during public comments. This time a flag was in the room. Only Trustee Hamilton stood again.
1/28/2015	Special COD Board Meeting for the purpose of re-voting the Addendum 4 to Dr. Breuder’s contract. The meeting was moved to a larger room per judge’s order. Over 400 people attended the meeting. Ed F. led the Pledge during the second round of public comments. All board members and administrators stood – TV cameras were rolling.
2/19/ 2015	The Pledge of Allegiance finally appeared on the meeting agenda.
4/7/2015	Consolidated elections – voters choose the “clean slate” Mazzochi, Napolitano, Bernstein as new COD trustees.
4/29/2015(reported 12/15/2015	The Physical Therapist Assistant Educator Program at the College of DuPage was placed on “Probationary Accreditation” due to COD’s “inability to demonstrate compliance with a significant number of evaluative criteria“. edgarcountywatchdogs
4/30/2015	organizational meeting to seat newly elected trustees and elect board leadership (Chair – Hamilton, Vice Chair – Mazzochi, Secretary – Napolitano)
4/30/2015	Placed Dr. Breuder on Administrative leave, appointed Dr Collins as interim president. Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to conduct a Search for an interim President.
5/14/2015	from minutes “Chairman Hamilton said that Res Publica was hired without Board knowledge and was hired initially by a law firm and it was under a thin veil of attorney-client privilege which she believes needed to be disclosed to the public and the Board which is why she is voting to disclose the details of this invoice. ($395,069.11)Trustee McGuire said that it wasn’t without Board knowledge that (then) Chairman Birt was aware of it.” Motion passed. Res Publica provided pro-status-quo propaganda at taxpayer expense prior to the election. edgarcountywatchdogs and cod.edu (page 10)
5/14/2015	Formed a Budget committee and a Waterleaf committee
5/21/2015	Adopted new board policies
5/21/2015	Strategic plan for the time being is to identify problems, repair them, and continue to transform lives through our faculty teaching students.
6/11/2015	Hired Alix Partners for provision of interim financial services – CFO & Comptroller had been put on administrative leave.
7/24/2015	IL State’s Attorney’s office (Lisa Madigan) issued an opinion that there was indeed an Open Meetings Act violation on 7/12/2011 when they extended Dr. Breuder’s contract. edgarcountywatchdogs
7/30/2015	Formed a Education committee
8/13/2015	Establishment of Presidential Search Committee
8/13/2015	Vote to close the Waterleaf restaurant & transition to purely educational use
8/20/2015	Authorization to Initiate Termination Proceedings against College President
	Introduced a transition team
	Authorized a request to DuPage County State’s Attorney to pursue enforcement of the Attorney General’s 7/24/2015 opinion.
9/11/2015	Letter from DuPage State’s Attorney declining to prosecute the Open meetings act violation on 7/12/2011 in chich Dr.Breuder’s contract was illegally amended. edgarcountywatchdogs
9/?/2015	Thomas Glaser (CFO) and Lynn Sapyta (Comptroller) terminated during the week prior to the 9/17/2015 board meeting.
9/17/2015	Public hearing on the 2016 budget
	Dr. Beuder’s contract declared Void Ab Initio (never valid – a board cannot tie the hands of a future board. Each board term is two years. A self renewing five-year contract is not valid)
	Proclamation naming Homeland Security Education Center in honor of Congressional Medal of Honoe Recipient, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller
	Retained the Law firm of Nicolay & Dart and TayorUhe to provide Governmental Legal Services
9/28/2015	Adopted FY2016 Budget – COD reduced tuition & certain fees
10/5/2015	The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has issued a ruling against the College of DuPage (COD) and their process used to place Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) cadets as COD students and having it count towards COD’s credit hour enrollment numbers. edgarcountywatchdogs and edgarcountywatchdogs
10/20/2015	terminate Dr. Breuders’ contract
11/16/2015	presidential search committee met
11/19 /2015	Per recommendations of the presidential search committee m the board hired William E. Hay & Co to conduct a presidential search.
12/13/2015	Kathy Hamilton resigned for “personal reasons” the board has 60 days to pick a replacement. If not the Chair of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) will appoint one
12/16/2015	COD placed on academic probation by HLC edgarcountywatchdogs
12/17/2015	McGuire, Birt and Wozniak boycott board meeting – no quorum
12/30/2015	Criminal Complaint filed against McGuire, Birt and Wozniak for 720 ILCS 5/33-3 Official Misconduct and 720 ILCS 5/12-6 Intimidationedgarcountywatchdogs Will Bob Berlin, DuPage States attorney do anything?
1/ 7/2016	Special board meeting called by McGuire, Birt, Wozniak to hold a new organization meeting for 7 pm2^nd board meeting called for 6:45 by Mazzochi, Napolitano and Bernstein containing everything the other one had + public comment at the beginning and legal interpretation by council regarding re-organization. McGuire, Birt and Wozniak boycotted both.
1/ 14/2016	Special board meeting called by McGuire, Birt, Wozniak to hold a new organization meeting for 7 pm2^nd board meeting called for 6:30 by Mazzochi, Napolitano and Bernstein containing only 1 item, approval of releasing Feb & March 2014 closed door minutes and recordings to the state’s attorney. McGuire, Birt and Wozniak boycotted both.
1/21/2016	Regular board meeting – no quorum
1/25/2016	“The IRS determined that “a significant and substantial number” of Waterleaf restaurant meals charged on college house accounts — 44 percent in 2013 — did not have a business purpose or had insufficient documentation. As a result, an IRS audit found, they should be considered taxable employee compensation.”*(Tribune article)*
1/28/2016	Special board meeting – no quorum
2/3/2016	All 6 trustees finally show up for the 7pm meeting. Consent agenda and personnel items approved. Boycott ended, but still little sign of cooperation. McGuire, Birt and Wozniak missed 2 regularly scheduled board meetings 12/12/2015, 1/21/2016 and special board meetings on 1/7/2016, 1/14/2016 and 1/28/2016 including meeting that they called.

For more information:

cod.edu/about/board_of_trustees/
edgarcountywatchdogs.com/category/college-of-dupage-2/
codfaculty.org/blogs/bot/
Chicago Tribune
Daily Herald

College of DuPage (COD) Candidates (April 7, 2015 Election)

COD has 12 candidates for 3 Trustee positions. It has been all over the news recently!

Background

The Wikipedia entry for College of DuPage has an excellent summary of COD including events of the last year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_of_DuPage

Three candidates are running together as the “clean slate” – Charles Bernstein, Frank Napolitano and Deanne Mazzochi. They have been endorsed by Kathy Hamilton – the one current trustee who has voted “no” to the $763,000 Golden Parachute – the one trustee that the Chicago tribune did not list when they wrote “Board Chairwoman Erin Birt, co-Vice Chairman Joseph Wozniak, Dianne McGuire, Kim Savage, Nancy Svoboda, Allison O’Donnell, it’s time to resign.” Chicago Tribune

Candidates (in ballot order):

Nancy Svoboda

Incumbent (2009 – 2015)
Campaign webpage: http://www.nancysvoboda.com/
2009 LWV candidate profile: http://www.lwvelmhurst.org/2009Candidates/Svoboda.html
Voted for Dr. Breuder’s $762,868 Golden Parachute
Watchdog’s take on Savage / Svoboda: http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2015/04/savage-svoboda-the-real-story-ask-you-people-have-you-didnt-listen/

Sandra M. Pihos

Campaign webpage: http://www.electsandrapihos.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandy.pihos
Sandy served in the IL house for 12 years (2002-2014)
Sandy served on the Glenbard High School District 87 school board (1993 – 2002)
She voted for 2014 FOIA bill (HB3796), which makes it more difficult for citizens to hold their public bodies accountable.
District 87 was spiking teacher salaries the entire time she was on the school board. That policy is a root cause for today’s TRS pension mess.
Looking at the donors to Sandy’s last primary campaign, we find her largest contributor was IL Education Association IPACE $102,600.00 illinoissunshine.org
The Watchdogs dig into Ms. Pihos’ record http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2015/04/cod-political-endorsements-fail-the-public-part-iii/

Matt Gambs

Campaign webpage: http://www.mattgambs.com/bio/about-matt-gambs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt-Gambs/924464200920327
Bank executive
Ultimate power ultimately corrupts – or how many boards are too many?
Gambs is or has been (from web search) a
– chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce,
– trustee of his alma mater, Regis University,
– chairman of the Heritage YMCA Group serving Aurora, and Naperville,
– chairman of the Board of Trustees at All Saints Catholic Academy in Naperville,
– and part of the leadership team of DuPage Business Council.
Matt Gambs & the ‘cease-and-desist’ order http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2015/03/cod-political-endorsements-fail-the-public-part-ii/

Kim Savage

Incumbent (2009 – 2015)
Campaign webpage: http://www.kimsavage.org/
Voted for Dr. Breuder’s $762,868 Golden Parachute
Watchdog’s take on Savage / Svoboda: http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2015/04/savage-svoboda-the-real-story-ask-you-people-have-you-didnt-listen/

Claire Ball

Campaign webpage: http://www.claireballforillinois.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaireBallForIllinois?fref=ts
Libertarian
Accountant

Charles Bernstein

Campaign webpage: http://cleanslateforcod.com/?page_id=32
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charles.bernstein.77?fref=ts
Retired businessman
Running as part of the “Clean Slate”

Frank Napolitano

Campaign webpage: http://www.franknapolitano.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frank-Napolitano/280221069771
Served as village trustee in Bartlett.
Reformer on U46 school board, resigned when he moved to Bloomingdale
Running as part of the “Clean Slate”

Deanne Marie Mazzochi

Campaign webpage: http://votemazzochi.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CitizensforMazzochi
Deanne is a Patent attorney.
Running as part of the “Clean Slate”

Roger J. Kempa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roger.K13
Frequent commenter at COD board meetings – does primary research into COD issues.

Joseph M. “Joe” Wozniak

Campaign webpage: did not find one
Daily Herald Bio: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150301/submitted/303019846/
His son, Joe Wozniak is a current member of the COD board

David “Dave” Carlin

Campaign webpage: did not find one
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlin
Former COD board member (2007 – 2013)
David Carlin was on the board that hired Dr. Breuder (January 2009), gave Dr. Breuder contract extensions, and presided over the opening of the Water Leaf Restaurant.
COD – Dave Carlin participates in illegal meeting? http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2015/03/cod-dave-carlin-participates-in-illegal-meeting-2/

Dan Bailey

Campaign webpage: http://www.danbailey.org/about.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.bailey.397
Dan is on the steering committee for Turn DuPage Blue

http://www.turndupageblue.com/who.php

Dan Bailey Ran for office multiple times as a Democrat and an elected committeeman of Milton 64 since 1992 acting since 88. Former union local president, BLE Division 184 (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Division 184, founding president.)

Runing as the “Clean Slate”

Charles Bernstein, Frank Napolitano and Deanne Marie Mazzochi
Clean Slate for COD: http://cleanslateforcod.com/
Clean Slate – facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3forCOD/

Endorsements:

Board member [Kathy Hamilton] endorses College of DuPage candidates running as slate http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/western-springs/news/ct-gle-cod-election-slate-tl-0226-20150223-story.html

Former congressman Joe Walsh also endorsed Charles Bernstein, Frank Napolitano and Deanne Marie Mazzochi

Dr. Darlene Ruscitti. DuPage GOP Chairman sent an email to all DuPage GOP precinct committeemen:

“…As an educator, a university trustee, and DuPage GOP Chairman, I encourage you to join me in voting for Sandy Pihos, Matt Gambs, and Deanne Mazzochi for College of DuPage (COD) Trustees on April 7th, Election Day. They have the best shot at winning and beating the incumbent and Democratic candidates…”

Illinois Review: Robling: DuPage GOP Fails Reform Test At Community College http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2015/03/robling-dupage-gop-fails-reform-test-at-community-college.html

Daily Herald: endorsed Matt Gambs, Deanne Mazzochi and Sandra Pihos http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150321/discuss/150329738/

COD faculty association posted on their facebook page:

“The Daily Herald has posted its endorsements. We agree on 2 of the 3. As would be expected, we believe in voters doing their own research, think before you vote, but VOTE. We are recommending that you vote for Sandy Pihos, Deanne Mazzochi, and Dan Bailey. A truly non-partisan selection of candidates who will have to form a coalition to move CoD forward with a college driven agenda.”

The Courier [COD student newspaper] editorial board endorses former state Rep. Sandra Pihos, attorney Deanne Mazzochi and businessman Matt Gambs. http://codcourier.org/2311/opinion/our-endorsements-for-the-board-of-trustees/

COD Follow-Up: Pihos Now On Democrats’ Literature For COD Election Illinois Review

COD in the news

A web search will find many articles. Here are a few of the better ones:

Chicago Tribune, Editorial: It’s time to clean house at the College of DuPage http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-dupage-0402-20150401-story.html
On January 15, COD made the front page of the Chicago Tribune “College of DuPage employed radio engineer despite theft conviction” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-college-of-dupage-wdcb-radio-met-20150115-story.html#page=1

On January 22, COD board voted to amend COD president Dr Breuder’s contract, giving Dr. Breuder a $762,868.77 Golden Parachute when he retires on March 31, 2016. They re-voted at a special meeting on 1/28/2015 to do it again after realizing that their original vote was done illegally. https://dupagewatchdog.org/2015/02/cod-in-the-news-cod-president-dr-breuder-to-leave/
November 2014, Trustee McGuire compared the “Tea Party” and watchdogs to Nazi’s. In December, two rebuttals. https://dupagewatchdog.org/2015/02/cod-nazi-speech-rebuttals/
August 2014 – A censure for speaking out (Chicago Trib) http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-college-dupage-edit-0828-20140827-story.html

More information

The official COD Board meeting notices, minutes, etc. can be found on the COD Board of Trustees’ page. http://www.cod.edu/about/board_of_trustees/
Much of the investigation of the College of DuPage has been done by the “Edgar County Watchdogs.” http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/category/college-of-dupage-2
Summary of “For the Good of Illinois” findings http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2015/04/wheres-bottom-at-college-of-dupage/

Errors and Ommissions in COD Board Minutes

At the 2/19/2015 COD board meeting the minutes for 1/22/2015 and 1/28/2015 were both approved as is even though errors and omissions had been pointed out during public comment. The following are the corrections that should have been made according to Jan Shaw, who watched the podcast in order to document this. The information was emailed to all board members prior to the March 19, 2015 board meeting.

Note: Jan Shaw led the Pledge of Allegiance during public comment at both the Dec. 18, 2014 and Jan. 22, 2015 regular COD Board meetings. Ed Franckowiak led the Pledge of Allegiance at the special, Jan 28, 2015 board meeting. The agenda for the February 19, 2015 board meeting started with the pledge of Allegiance.

In the 1/22/2015 minutes

As approved (With cross-outs and highlighted (Blue) additions to make them correct)

PUBLIC COMMENT 4. A. AGENDA RELATED COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS 4. A. 1) District No. 502 Citizens · Jan Shaw spoke regarding the Agenda and led the Pledge of Allegiance

….

B. 1) a) December 18, 2014 Regular Board Meeting Minutes Chairman Birt called for a motion to approve Item 8.B.1)a) pulled from the Consent Agenda, Secretary O’Donnell moved and Trustee Svoboda seconded:

Vice Chairman Hamilton stated that the minutes didn’t correctly reflect comments made by some of the citizens. pertaining to previous comments made by Trustee McGuire at the November meeting. The minutes say “Jan Shaw spoke regarding Tax Levy” – Trustee Hamilton said they should add that Jan lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes also state that “Matthew Tyrmand spoke regarding Treasurer’s report” which he did. But he also addressed Trustee McGuire’s November rant comparing the Watchdogs and the Tea Party to Nazis.

Trustee Svoboda stated that the comments correctly reflected “Agenda related” comments.

Chairman Birt asked Secretary O’Donnell to call the roll. Student Trustee Escamilla’s preference is for the motion. Voting aye: Trustee McGuire, Secretary O’Donnell, Trustees Savage and Svoboda, Co-Vice Chairman Wozniak and Chairman Birt. Voting nay: Vice Chairman Hamilton. Motion passed.

In the 1/28/2015 minutes

As approved (With cross-outs and highlighted (blue) additions to make them correct)

PUBLIC COMMENT Chairman Birt announced that due to the number of people who wish to comment, the Board will hear comments until 8:30 p.m. The Board will then move on with the Agenda and then go back to public comments and reminded those present that there is a three (3) minute time limit for all public comments.

The following individuals spoke regarding the President’s Employment Contract:

Dianne Batzkall, Dan Bailey, Daniel Lundehl, Glenn Hansen, Alex Franklin, Deanne Mazzochi, John Kraft, Richard Jarman, Eric Lavergne, Laura Reigle, Kirk Allen, Sandra Pihos, Len Green, Jerry Vachparambl, Roger Kempa, Jill Spealman, Frank Napolitano, Andrew Andrzejewski, Richard Skoda, Stew Gilgis, Charles Bernstein, Trustee Kathy Hamilton, Don O’Neill, Joseph M. Wozniak, Rachel Musselwhite, Jan Shaw, Beverly Perlson, Mary Kranz, Duane Bradley, Rick Lighthart, Heidi Holan, Paul Lefort, Jack Thorne, Kevin Bishop, Fred Wainke, Andrew Nelms, Jeanne Ives, Peter Cooper, Peter Breen, Robert Boque, David Goldberg, Claire Ball and Patricia Fire-Steel.

Stephanie Torres made an appeal for decorum and respect.

…

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Birt announced that the Board would hear the remainder of the public comments.

The following people spoke about the President’s Employment Contract:

Mark Msiorowski, Bobby Kaye, Bill Alrich, Mark Kmiecik, Bill Graham, Mary Pekos, Steve Johnson, Louise Handel, Claudia Freed, Katherine Cornell, Frank Falesch, Ed Franckowiak, Duane Bradley, Brian Lambert, Bruce Mabe, Georgia Zacowiak, Ross Maky, John Kraft, Kirk Allen, Jan Shaw, Roger Kempa and Ron Williams

Ed Franckowiak led the Pledge of Allegiance prior to his President’s Employment Contract comments.

6B GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS – others who had not signed up, or who had signed up for the second round of comments in order to talk about something other than Breuder’s contract came forward and spoke.

The following people spoke about the President’s Employment Contract

Duane Bradley, Brian Lambert, Bruce Mabe, Georgia Zacowiak, Ross Maky and Ron Williams.

Rose Johnson complimented President Breuder regarding the 3 + 1 Criminal Justice program and other opportunities the College offers.

John Kraft spoke about FOIA denials, open meeting act violations and mentioned a lawsuit.

Kirk Allen talked about his press credentials and being a 501(C)3, how this relates to the FOIA law and potentially criminal behavior exposed by the watchdogs.

Jan Shaw, in response to comments made by Rose Johnson said that the “watchdogs are not hateful, they’re good.” Because of them, There is no tuition increase, or tax levy increase this year.

Roger Kempa talked about the changes in enrollment, tuition and staffing levels since 2009.

COD, Nazi speech & rebuttals

During public comment at the December 18, 2014 COD board meeting Richard Jarman responded to an speech given by Trustee McGuire at the previous COD board meeting in which she compared ‘the TEA Party’ to Nazis.

He began with “German Theologians at board meetings… Impassioned speech against the critics at the gate or rather the overflow gallery…” He referenced being approached in September to join forces against ‘the TEA Party.’ And concluded with a question “Is it ‘the Tea Party’ we have to fear here, or is a distraction?”

Trustee McGuire’s original speech

And Matthew Tyrmand spoke about McGuire’s speech from the perspective of someone whose grandfather survived the Halocaust.

He demanded that Trustee McGuire resign. He said

“McGuire used rhetoric evoking Nazi Tyranny in a comparison with those who would demand honesty and integrity in government. Those that invoke Nazis in a spending debate have no place IN government and especially in a position of trust in a public educational institution. McGuire’s statement goes well beyond politically incorrect and approaches hate speech.”

COD in the news – COD President, Dr Breuder to retire

Background:

Much of the investigation of the College of DuPage has been done by the “Edgar County Watchdogs.” Their website has posts going back to August 2014: http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/category/college-of-dupage-2/
Another group that has been attending COD board meeting, posting information and writing for the news meeting is “For the Good of Illinois” http://forthegoodofillinois.org/
For background, listen to Adam Andrzejewski ‘s August 2014 public comments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqfTScLGYrs This night the COD Board censured Kathy Hamilton.
On January 15, COD made the front page of the Chicago Tribune “College of DuPage employed radio engineer despite theft conviction” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/ct-college-of-dupage-wdcb-radio-met-20150115-story.html#page=1
The official COD Board meeting notices, minutes, etc. can be found on the COD Board of Trustees’ page. http://www.cod.edu/about/board_of_trustees/

COD board vote [ January regular COD Board Meeting]

On January 22, COD board voted to amend COD president Dr Breuder’s contract, giving Dr. Breuder a $762,868.77 Golden Parachute when he retires on March 31, 2016. We still did not know all the details. The details were not read into the record. The document was not available on line until a few hours after the vote. This violated the Open Meetings Act.

Adam Andrzejewski ‘s public comments regarding Dr. Breuder’s buy out package – prior to the vote. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jDEt_7rfas&feature=youtu.be
Watch how the discussion is squelched, transparency opposed, & how quickly the vote was called on the compensation package. Non-responsive lawyer answers regarding the pension question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkttu2YNn4c&feature=youtu.be

Media Coverage (January 22):

COD board [ January 28, Special Board Meeting]

Late on Monday, January 26, 2015 we discovered that a special meeting was to be held on Wednesday, January 28 for the purpose of re-voting the Addendum 4 to Dr. Breuder’s contract.

Illinois Review posted that “For The Good of Illinois, Adam Andrzejewski, and Edgar County Watchdogs would file a lawsuit in DuPage County Circuit Court alleging that an Open Meetings Act (OMA) violation occurred while the board conferred the severance package for Dr. Breuder http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2015/01/breaking-for-the-good-of-illinois-to-file-lawsuit-tuesday-against-college-of-dupage-board-.html
Wednesday afternoon the Watchdogs won one round, and COD was ordered to move the meeting to a larger space. http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2015/01/watchdogs-secure-temporary-restraining-order-against-college-of-dupage/
Daily news http://www.dailynews724.com/local/judge-orders-college-of-dupage-meeting-moved-to-large-venue-h382423.html

The normal board room seat about 50, most of which have “reserve” signs on them during regular board meetings, leaving most of the public standing along the back or across the hall watching a video feed.

Talk radio, newspapers, facebook posts and emails told District 502 residents that a meeting would take place. And the community turned out.

The crowd overflowed the larger space – 300 chairs and standing room only along the side, the back and the balcony.

After almost two hours of public comment, giving the board plenty of reasons to vote “no” the board once again voted 6 -1 for the agreement that will give Dr. Breuder a $762,868 golden parachute when he retires in March 2016 and name the homeland security building after him.

Adam Andrzejewski comments – one of the best overviews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtCj1o3Gn8s
NBC News http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Crowd-Voices-Dismay-at-College-of-DuPage-Presidents-Exit-Deal-290179461.html
ABC news http://abc7chicago.com/education/college-of-dupage-trustees-approve-buyout-despite-community-outrage/495255/
Dailey Herald http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150128/news/150128678/
Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-college-of-dupage-president-buyout-revote-met-0129-20150128-story.html#page=1

Tying it all together,

The Chicago Tribune has an article on Feb 6, 2015 which includes history and detail. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-college-of-dupage-robert-breuder-tenure-20150206-story.html#page=1

The Fat Cats at College of DuPage

Originally published in the Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-andrzejewski/the-fat-cats-at-college-o_b_6171962.html

Adam Andrzejewski
Founder, openthebooks.com
The Fat Cats at College of DuPage (an Illinois Jr. College)

Gift bans be damned. It’s steaks, ribs, filet and crème brulee… for all.

In June, the College of DuPage (COD) lost a $20 million state construction grant because of corruption. In July, COD was exposed for paying up to $27,000 in fees and private membership dues at the presidents shooting club. In September, COD won a national “Golden Hammer” award for hiding $96 million in “Imprest” accounting payments that weren’t disclosed to the public or trustees. In October, COD was forced to publically acknowledge “possible fraud” in the radio station for possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Therefore, it’s mystifying to many that the Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team have instituted zero reform measures- only Vice Chairman Kathy Hamilton has battled for reform. But thanks to the information made available by the Edgar County Watchdogs, we are starting to gain insight into how the elected trustees and entire management/oversight structures at COD have “gamed the system for personal gain.”

It seems everybody who is somebody at COD is on the gravy train.

A few examples:

Consider the COD’s very own Five Days of Christmas party during which $9,254.63 in gifts, dinners, and alcohol flowed to COD senior managers and trustees.

Here are the details: during a five day period in December 2013, $9,254.63 was spent on a Christmas gift of steak and ribs to the Senior Management Team ($2,345.03), a Senior Management Team Holiday party wasted $3,572.40 including $1,553 in booze, a Holiday Board of Trustees dinner ($2,331.60) included $807 in booze, and a Board of Trustees “retreat” dinner squandered another $1,005.60. View all receipts here.

All this eating and drinking on the job occurred at the upscale French restaurant at COD, The Waterleaf. This restaurant sports a fully stocked wine cellar–with more than $192,000 of wine and wine accessories purchased over the past three years. The Waterleaf lost $560,000 in its first year of operation (2012) and losses for 2013 are not disclosed.

Another example of largesse: House Account #10 – COD President’s fund for eating and drinking.

President Robert Breuder has led the way in lavishing himself and others with fine food and drink. Using “House Acct #10,” Breuder has not only charged at least nine “board of trustee dinners” to the tune of $10,466.40, but he’s also been compensated for another $10,864.18 in meals and alcohol. During one evening, on November 6, 2013, Breuder even needed a bartender change of shift to accommodate the late night drinking (a bottle of Nautilus, two Miller Lites, a Honey Bourbon, Pomelo SBG, and three Diet Pepsis). And he’s even racked up 14 nights for $1,429.68 at the upscale campus hotel.

All of this, of course, has been funded by the hard working students and over-taxed property taxpayers of DuPage County. We know this because the college previously admitted that Dr. Breuder has never paid back a dime during his tenure as president.

This also happened after the board awarded the president a compensation package worth nearly $500,000 per year. After all, half a million dollars isn’t enough to satiate Breuder’s refined taste for other people’s money. And the sense of entitlement continues to build not just with Breuder but with the entire leadership structure of COD…

For the Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees, the litany of charges reads like an all-you-can-eat country club feast: crab cakes, gnocchi, scallops, Carpaccio, duck, salmon, bass, matelote, Bavarian cake, and porchetta. Before the October 17, 2013 board meeting, the Trustees feasted on filet mignon, pork chop, toffee pudding sorbets, bread pudding, salmon, potato puree, chicken mousse, French onion, vegetable strudel, halibut, duck breast, steak salad and more.

To acknowledge that there is a severe lack of accounting control at COD is an understatement. Corruption is a more appropriate term. Most of these food and alcohol charges flowed through the Imprest hidden payment scheme or other hidden accounting tricks at COD. These payments were deliberately hidden from the public and board meetings lacked basic transparency. Many payments violated the $75 statutory limit on gift bans, which is also board policy.

Thomas Glaser is the Treasurer at COD and previously held a similar position, Chief Financial Officer for Cook County in the administration of the legendary county boss John Stroger (1995-2007). At the last board meeting in October, Glaser pulled his 13 college accountants and put them behind the podium. For 40 minutes, they tried to say “we’re clean.”

But the facts tell another story. Taxpayers are outraged by this behavior and are calling for a house cleaning at COD

College of DuPage in the news

What is the purpose of the college?

Are they spending our money wisely?

Are they following the law?

Residents take note…

A censure for speaking out (Chicago Trib)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/...

For the Good of Illinois’ report on the COD meeting of 8/21/2014 (with links to other reports and video) http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?…

AG: “You Have No Authority to Sanction”… http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2014/09/a...

Open meetings act violations filed against the College of DuPage board. http://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2014/08/o...

…and from a few years ago

The Academic Bill of Rights (ABOR) which calls for an academic environment where decisions are made irrespective of one’s personal political or religious beliefs, was passed by to COD board in April 2009 and rescinded by the new board in May 2009. Kim Savage and Nancy Svoboda who were new to that board voted to rescind and are up for election in 2015. New that year and voting to rescind, but no longer on the board is Sandy Kim. And new in 2009, still on the board, but not voting to rescind is Allison O’Donnell. Why is this important? Because, we need good fiscally responsible people who do not condone indoctrination to run for COD board.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-05-08/news/...

Fiscal 2012 these 4 for profit operation run by the College of DuPage lost $1.8+ million dollars.

Waterleaf Restaurant (576,000)
WDCB jazz radio station (592,000)
MAC entertainment center (519,000)
Inn at Water’s Edge hotel (152,000)

Total Loss (1,839,000)

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121223/news/…

COD Delivering Political Support for $20 Million?

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE
Delivering Political Support for $20 Million?

See details on For the Good of Illinois

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=8b6bb5f2-e2a8-4647-9a0a-263547c3f18e&c=73e68b30-cdaa-11e3-bd8a-d4ae52733bf0&ch=752bb560-cdaa-11e3-bde2-d4ae52733bf0

and follow up – grant pulled after plan exposed.

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=cf5ac1e3-63c9-48ea-8ac9-84c3e63ae879&c=73e68b30-cdaa-11e3-bd8a-d4ae52733bf0&ch=752bb560-cdaa-11e3-bde2-d4ae52733bf0

Andrzejewski Calls for COD to Freeze Property Taxes and Student Fees

Adam Andrzejewski Founder & Chairman of “For The Good of Illinois” called for the College of Dupage (COD) to freeze property taxes and Student fees. According to the data he collected, since 2008, COD hiked property taxes by 59% while home values declined. He also questioned the wisdom of paying COD President Robert Breuder nearly $500,000 yearly. Read more:

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=9c506c68-8d3d-4609-a64a-a22121c73b31&c=73e68b30-cdaa-11e3-bd8a-d4ae52733bf0&ch=752bb560-cdaa-11e3-bde2-d4ae52733bf0