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Resident asks for audit of 'wheeling' revenue and explanation of payment to village counsel
Summary
A Lisle resident asked the board to disclose how wheeling revenue from Illinois American Water is allocated and sought clarification about a campaign payment to the village's legal counsel; Mayor Mullin said prior legal review found the arrangement permissible and that annual audits are performed.
A public commenter told the Village of Lisle Board on Feb. 24 that residents deserve a clear accounting of so-called "wheeling" revenue the village receives from Illinois American Water and asked whether any of those funds are designated for Oak View residents.
Susan Veil said the village charges different annual water costs across neighborhoods and asserted that wheeling revenue contributes significantly to village income, asking: "What is the revenue account code for that?" She urged a full audit and transparency about how the funds are used.
Veil also cited a publicly filed campaign record showing a $1,836.19 payment from Mayor Mullin's campaign committee to Ansel Glink, the village's outside legal counsel, and asked whether the payment related to campaign compliance, personal representation, or village business and whether the village has policies to manage any appearance of a conflict.
Mayor Mullin responded that village funds are audited annually and that the payment in question was for campaign services. "Ansel Glink is also the campaign counsel for [a different official]," the mayor said, adding that previous legal review under a prior administration concluded it is permissible for a firm under contract with the village to also provide campaign services. "It is perfectly acceptable and ethical for an entity to use the same legal team who has a contract with the village," Mullin said.
The board did not vote on audits or policy changes at the meeting. Manager Cook said staff is compiling input from an Illinois American Water open house and will share materials with the board in March as the village monitors the company's rate-filing.
