By: Diane Benjamin
No wonder trust in government is at an all time low among people who expect Public Servants to actually work for the public. Oaths of office are now meaningless.
Did you know the County isn’t going to produce a report on the fundraising at the County to abolish the Auditor until March? Did you know both Lizzy Johnston and Cassie Taylor have lawyered up?
Here’s more proof laws are immaterial. Below is the Regional Superintendent of Schools response to Dean Fletcher who filed a complaint with Mark Jontry’s office. See the original story here: https://blnnews.com/2025/02/09/since-election-interference-isnt-prosecuted/
Obviously someone paid to register the domain and create this website: https://april1cent.info/
Jontry claims it’s a 3rd party website. It was created on GoDaddy. This site wasn’t used by local school districts in the past, maybe Jontry means they used GoDaddy. Of course merely creating a website that originally asked voters to approve the 1% Sales tax was election interference, Jontry thinks it’s okay if they correct the language: https://blnnews.com/2025/02/09/somebody-tried-to-legalize-the-schools/
The bottom line is the schools district were dreaming of tons of cash while ignoring massive property tax increases while school enrollments have been declining: https://blnnews.com/2025/02/10/mclean-county-schools-tax-increases-vs-enrollment-declines/
Complaints were filed with others, those will probably go nowhere either since election inference doesn’t seem to be material to anyone but citizens. We will likely never know who paid for and created the website. Secrets are fun! By the way, numerous County Board members were involved in trying to abolish the Auditor’s office. They aren’t talking either, so violating laws are immaterial to them too.
Mr. Fletcher
Thank you for your inquiry. I have spoken with many of the districts you referenced in response to the concerns you raised. The districts are in the process of reviewing their messaging as well as looking to see if any language on their websites, and the April1cent, should be modified in any way, including consulting with their legal counsel as necessary. The 3rd party website has been used by some of the districts for their own referendums in the past. The districts have indicated that any changes they deem necessary will be accomplished by the end of the school day today.
Many of the superintendents of these districts have previously been involved with ballot questions in their own districts for referendums, so they are very aware that the district is limited to providing information on a ballot question and what passage of said question would mean for taxpayers in their districts.
Most of the districts with property in McLean County passed the resolution for placing this question on the ballot, so the board support is implicit by that very act…and they are aware of the limitations on promotion vs. information. Legal interpretations have been the guiding factor when these questions arise, so that is what the districts will rely on in making their decisions.
Sincerely
Mark Jontry
Unless the shoe is on the other foot.
The school district advocacy could just be chalked up to an overzealous teachers union member that created the web content that has now been taken down.
The alleged solicitation of PAC money from county employees on government property by Elizabeth Johnston is an entirely different and more serious matter. She either did it or did not do it. There is no grey area. Who is her lawyer ?
Thanks for the link that shows a pic of IL counties noting the counties with a one percent tax, McLean county not being one of them. Instead the pic should show counties with too much tax and all of IL would show up. Me, I VOTE AGAINST ALL TAX INCREASES! All they do is intentionally misappropiate it all. It’s a scam!
Facts about the Berck V Johnston/Taylor complaints.
1. There are two complaints filed.
2. Illinois State Board of Elections:
One complaint (multiple Illinois Code Violations) with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
3. McLean County Board – Ethics Commission: McLean County Code Chapter 37.
One complaint (Multiple McLean County Code Violations.
4. Both of the accused have lawyers.
Ms. Johnstons lawyer is Mr. Hunt from The Hunt law firm out of Chicago. Who has filed for a dismissal and a delay.
5. The Dismissal contained slanderous accusations against Mr. Berck. Accusing him of filing the complaints to “harass and be vexatious” towards Ms. Johnston, due to his campaign loss last November . While in a separate email being Mr. Hunt again assumes Mr. Berck to be a conspiracy theorist and made all of this up apparently to file the complaints against his client.
6. Mr. Hunt sent an email to Mr. Berck admitting to being apart of the investigation that the States Attorney initiated and hired an outside firm to conduct on their behalf. Which, is very concerning. Mr. Berck was denied all access, information, and any data about the investigation taking place, even the name of the law firm conducting the case was withheld. However the defense attorney was permitted to participate in the investigation with the firm investigating the allegations of his own defendant. But because Mr. Berck is at this moment Pro Se’, he was completely denied even notice of findings.
7. Mr. Berck found out that the SA is advising the ethics commission. Which is troubling. As the SA office is in fact “witness” to the alleged misconduct. As well as the SA office has been the office corresponding with Mr. Berck between the Ethics Commission. Not informing him of the “advisory position. Which is not in the McLean County codes! In fact none of this process is in the McLean County codes talking about the SA being involved as an advisor.
8. Mr. Berck has subpoena powers granted by the McLean County codes Chapter 37. But Mr. Rood Asst. States Attorney would not assist Mr. Berck in answering question on how to proceed with the processes for conducting those processes and procedures for deposition to gather evidence.
9. The blatant disregard and appearance of civil rights violations is apparent from not only the initial solicitation of funds taking place and being potentially used against Mr. Berck and potentially Randy Knapps campaigns. But now the County itself appears to be withholding the constitutional rights of Mr. Berck and the due process he is entitled to as a man, citizen and taxpayer.
10. One huge potential issue is that every Starr member at the County Office is a “witness”. If this were a true “criminal investigation, everyone would be questioned, the electronics communications, emails, texts, etc would be investigated. Travis Sierra didn’t make this up because Mr. Berck has a financial record of the transactions into the PAC by various sources and the PAC exists, as well as text messages between him and Ms. Johnston. That is irrefutable evidence. Integrity, Law, Ethics!! Vital ingredients for a successful government.
Esther Seitz Is Cassie Taylor’s lawyer.
Elizabeth Johnstons Lawyer:
Keith L. Hunt
Hunt Law, P.C.
Bannockburn Atrium
2275 Half Day Rd
Suite 126
Bannockburn, IL 60015
312-558-1300 office
312-558-9911 fax
312-560-2400
Update on Berck V Johnston County-Ethics Commission Complaints
1. Asst. States Attorney is advising the Ethics commission.
2. Johnston’s legal Counsel was involved in the “investigation” outsourced by the States Attorney Erika Reynolds. Mr. Hunt was present during questioning of 17 witnesses, and admitted being involved in the investigation.
3. Mr. Berck repeatedly asked for information, the name of the Firm conducting the investigation, findings, and to be included in fact finding. But was repeatedly ignored, told no, due to not having a lawyer (Mr. Berck is currently Pro Se’), and guaranteed by the SA and defense counsel that full integrity, fairness and accountability was maintained. Mr. Hunt assured Mr. Berck after witnessing the interviews that his client did no wrong doing. Then wrote a statement seeking dismissal and slandered Mr. Berck as a conspiracy theorist, vindictive, seeking revenge for losing the election.
4. Mr. Berck has text messages of Ms. Johnston issuing Trevor Sierra refunds for campaign contributions to the PAC. Ms. Johnstons name is also listed on the PAC as. Contributor as well as other others. Mr. Berck has financial documentation showing funds that are unaccounted for of almost $5000 into the PAC supporting the referendum used in the attempt to unseat the elected Auditor of McLean County. While Mr. Berck’s campaign was against that referendum.
5. The SA office is a potential “witness” as Trevor Sierra was terminated from that office due to his involvement as well as the entire County office should be considered “witnesses”, including many board members.
6. The McLean County code does allow Mr. Berck Subpoena powers, however, the SA office has mot been willing to assist him in this matter, allowing for depositions to gather evidence, etc.
7. The ethics board have received free legal counsel, by way of the SA office as advisors, which is not listed in the County Code Chapter 37.
8. The County Board Chair, County Administrator allegedly solicited donations on county property, during work hours, using county resources, from county staff, employees and elected officials. This is a clear violation of both, Illinois State Code and County Code. Which also carries criminal charges and penalties. An Assistant States Attorney was terminated, potentially, over this matter. Possibly two lawyers are being funded at taxpayer expense for the County, plus the Firm investigating for the SA’s office.
9. Civil Rights Violation times 2: In addition, if my campaign or Randy Knapps was at all affected by these funds, it could be a civil rights issue also. Now the County itself may be hindering my efforts to find the truth, which is also a civil rights violation again.
10. Having a defense lawyer allowed to witness investigation beyond his clients interview is way out of line. This isn’t proper either. Defense attorneys don’t work investigations of their own clients alleged wrongdoing or crime scenes as far as I’ve ever known, but this is a new century in law.