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PUBLIC INTEGRITY BUREAU

"Valuing Trust & Accountability"

Public integrity and the confidence citizens have in their government is the cornerstone of our democracy.  Preserving that confidence and reducing acts of public corruption is the responsibility of everyone serving in government, both local and state.  

To elevate the efforts of those responsible for overseeing this singularly important task, Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe has formed a “Public Integrity Bureau". This Bureau will reach out to the general public and elected/appointed officials throughout local municipal, township and county government to educate and inform on the issues of public corruption.

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Corruption not only violates the law, it violates the public trust and undermines confidence in the core of our democratic system.  

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Our Public Integrity Bureau has three main objectives:

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1) Provide a resource for the public to submit information about corrupt or unethical activity;

2) Send a clear message to County taxpayers that illegal and unethical activity will not be tolerated;

3) Assist law enforcement in rooting out corruption and misconduct. 

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The Public Integrity Bureau is another weapon in the arsenal to combat unscrupulous abuses of power and authority.  Providing our office with information will help us and law enforcement remove those whose criminal conduct affects business opportunities and the quality of life in our community.  Many of the most successful public corruption cases in history started with a tip from a concerned citizen.

"The State's Attorney's Office needs your help. If you see corruption, fraud, waste or dishonest practices of any kind, let us hear from you. YOU have the power to change things for the better."  - State's Attorney Jim Rowe
REPORT FRAUD HERE:
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REPORT FRAUD HERE:
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How Do I Submit A Report?

You can submit a report of suspected corruption or fraud by completing the report form** and following the instructions on the form to submit it to the State's Attorney's Office.  

To access the form, CLICK HERE.  

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**BEFORE MAKING YOUR REPORT, PLEASE READ THE BELOW SUGGESTIONS:

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Some Tips On Preparing a Written Complaint.

 

  • First, make a separate list of the things you want to say. Try to separate your feelings from the facts. Present the events in the order in which they happened, using dates and names/titles whenever possible;

  • Type or print legibly;

  • Enclose copies of documents such as contracts, letters, papers or other documents that may support your complaint.

  • KEEP A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT FOR YOUR FILES.

 

Upon receipt of your complaint, we will review the complaint and any supporting documents. The time to review the complaint may vary depending on the circumstances and the information you are able to provide with your complaint.  Not all unlawful activity is within our jurisdiction, so some matters may be referred to other agencies for investigation or prosecution.

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You can also contact the FBI to report corruption (click here).

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Illinois has a Whistleblower Protection Statute to protect those who expose fraud and corruption.  Read more about that statute by clicking here.

In June, 2017, State's Attorney Rowe partnered with the IL Attorney General's Office and Olivet Nazarene University to provide a training on the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act to all taxpayer watchdogs, and over 200 elected and appointed officials in Kankakee County.

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