Controversial no-bid school roofing project in Stickney skirted state law

BY JON SEIDEL AND BECKY SCHLIKERMAN Staff Reporters September 9, 2013 9:05PM

Updated: September 10, 2013 2:19AM

A controversial roofing project in west suburban Stickney skirted state law in various ways, making it possible for a politically connected company to do the work with few questions asked, the Chicago Sun-Times has found.

No bidding process was needed. And no bond was required.

Thats because Lyons Elementary District 103 estimated the project would cost $35,000 well below the $50,000 threshold in state law that makes such due diligence mandatory.

But when the 2012 project at Edison Elementary School went over budget by at least four times the estimate, most of the business kept going to a pair of companies that are apparently connected: Lembke & Sons True Value and A1 Building Maintenance and Plumbing.

Now a school board attorney has recommended the district hire an independent auditor to look into the roof project. The topic was discussed at a board committee meeting Monday night where school board president Sharon Anderson called the project a repair gone psychotic.

A1 doesnt have a business license in Darien where its based, nor is it incorporated in Illinois. And now the Chicago Sun-Times has found through the Freedom of Information Act the school district has no proof of insurance, bonding or licensure from A1.

Finally, the newspaper found no permits were pulled at Stickney Village Hall for the roofing project. Stickney Treasurer Kurt Kasnicka said fees would have been waived for the school district but the permit was a necessity.

They were required to come in for a permit, Kasnicka said.

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Controversial no-bid school roofing project in Stickney skirted state law