Will County Gazette

A Republican candidate for Joliet Township supervisor is skeptical that her Democratic opponent Angel Contreras can competently do the job if elected.

“There are reports that the board of education has to file with the state controller and it is my understanding that they have not been filed, which is under Contreras' watch,” said Diane Harris, who is campaigning against Contreras. “If that is what’s being done at the board of education, what would make him responsible as the township supervisor?” 

Harris made the comments in response to reports that Joliet area school districts are expecting to receive some $64 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding through the American Rescue Act.

Joliet Township Republican Organization Vice Chair Diane Harris | Facebook

Contreras is chairman of the Housing Authority of Joliet while also acting as vice chairman of the Joliet Township High School District 204 Board of Education, which has failed to file the required documentation with the Illinois Comptroller the past three years, according to Edgar County Watchdogs.

“The question of transparency definitely comes to mind because if school board annual reports haven’t been filed in three years, how can taxpayers determine how their dollars are spent?” Harris told the Will County Gazette. “They can only determine that by the records that are filed and if the records aren't filed, there has to be a question as to the appropriation of $64 million, which is hard to determine when there’s no transparency because there are no records to review.”

Harris expressed further concern about the ability of Contreras to manage all three positions at once.

“I don't believe it would be a conflict of interest but it may be a challenge for him to juggle all the responsibilities,” Harris said in an interview on Election Day. “It's obvious that there's something wrong with the Board of Education if they haven't filed required reports in three years.”

Harris is vice-chairman of the Joliet Township Republican Organization. If elected Joliet Township supervisor, Harris said she would call for a forensic audit.

“I think that would be one of the best things we can do for the residents as far as the government of the township and governmental officials,” she said. “We need to start from square one to find out if we are in balance and a forensic audit will find and help correct errors so that we can govern accordingly in the future.”

Harris also foresees balancing the general fund to help individuals who have fallen on hard times advance away from dependency on the township.

“We want to decrease dependency and increase independence,” she said. “We hope to do that by working with our community partners and to reach out to governmental entities to see if we can work out programs that will meet the needs of the residents.”

State Sen. John Connor (D-Crest Hill) announced last week that Will County will receive some $4 million for infrastructure construction projects in six payments until 2024 as part of the  Rebuild Illinois plan, according to media reports.

“We want safe roads for the residents under the umbrella of the township,” Harris said. "We want good government for the people.”