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Tri-State FPD back in the news
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Hi everyone,
I wanted to share some insights we’ve gathered regarding the Tri-State Fire Protection District. It all started when we began our work at COD, and we received numerous requests for help. After reviewing a series of articles by the Better Government Association, it became clear there was more to uncover.
One of the key issues highlighted in those articles was the misuse of taxpayer funds, particularly concerning the trustee’s conflict of interest in promoting and providing benefits to her civil union partner. Additionally, the process of purchasing equipment raised significant questions. Based on feedback from local residents, we decided to conduct a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to examine the board member's connection to the acquisition of several new and used ambulances.
Our findings suggest a clear violation of state ethics policies and the Fire Protection District Act by Mr. Michael Orrico, the board treasurer. Last September, Tri-State issued a Request for Proposal (RFP), not a formal bid, for two new ambulances. Several companies, including Foster Coach, Alexis Fire, and Fire Services, Inc., submitted proposals via email—none of which were sealed.
Following the RFP, Fire Services, Inc.'s representative offered a used ambulance priced at around $170,000. Eventually, the district purchased this used ambulance for $167,965, bypassing the formal bidding process. Interestingly, this used ambulance ended up costing more than the new ones.
After initial quotes from multiple companies, only Fire Services, Inc. was considered. The final invoices for the two ambulances came in early this year. One invoice dated February 20, 2015, was for $162,587 for a 2015 chassis ambulance, while another dated May 26, 2015, was for $166,202 for another 2015 chassis ambulance. In addition, the district purchased a non-bid used ambulance from Fire Services, Inc., totaling three ambulances procured through an RFP intended for two.
Here’s where things get really interesting: one of the trustees works for the very company that sold the ambulances to the district. Michael Orrico, who sells fire equipment for Fire Services, Inc., failed to disclose his employment in his Economic Disclosure Statement for his trustee position. According to the Illinois Fire Protection District Act, this disclosure is mandatory. Mr. Orrico listed “N/A†instead, which is clearly incorrect given his role.
This nondisclosure could result in legal consequences, as the law states that anyone who knowingly submits a false or incomplete statement can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Furthermore, Mr. Orrico did not disclose his financial ties to the company during any board discussions regarding the RFP or the subsequent purchases. His actions violate Section 70 ILCS 705/4, which prohibits trustees or employees from having a financial interest in any contract or business involving the district.
The consequences of violating this section include criminal charges and potential loss of office. Given that this board seems to avoid formal votes on large expenditures, it’s possible this was done to shield Mr. Orrico’s conflicts of interest. Unfortunately, despite this, the lack of transparency remains troubling.
Another layer of concern involves the district’s legal counsel. It seems the same law firm representing Tri-State FPD also represented COD under previous leadership. How could this oversight occur?
We’re continuing to dig deeper into this matter, and there’s still more to come. Stay tuned for further revelations.
Best,
[Your Name]
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