East St. Louis-roads chief sues township for more money

Illinois News Network

 

Road Commissioner Skip Kernan wants the township to approve enough pay in his budget for five full-time road workers, but the township has only given him enough for three and a part-timer.

Road Commissioner Skip Kernan wants the township to approve enough pay in his budget for five full-time road workers, but the township has only given him enough for three and a part-timer.

A road commissioner is suing his East St. Louis-area township for more payroll and warning that he may have to leave roads unplowed this winter if he doesn’t get the money.

Road Commissioner Skip Kernan wants the township to approve enough pay in his budget for five full-time road workers, but the township has only given him enough for three and a part-timer. Kernan said he will have to lay off workers again this winter if the extra payroll isn’t approved, potentially leaving roads unplowed for the township’s 26,000 residents. St. Clair Township is responsible for maintaining 60 linear miles of road near downstate Belleville.

Kernan is seeking another $95,000 in wages, plus attorneys fees, to be paid by township taxpayers. Kernan has asked to remove line items in the budget that would otherwise go to items such as construction materials to replenish his payroll, but the township refused.

Township Supervisor Dave Barnes said Kernan is being irresponsible with tax dollars.

“He’s putting the taxpayers that live on the roads that he takes care of in a predicament,” Kernan said. “They won’t have anybody to plow the roads.”

Kernan’s employees are given health benefits and receive taxpayer-funded pensions through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

Kernan overspent his payroll last fiscal year and had to lay off his employees in the spring.

On his political Facebook page, from his run for road commissioner, Kernan touted the fact that he would not accept public health benefits and that “St. Clair Township taxpayers need aggressive representation to minimize township government, and I believe I am the man for the job.”

 

 

 

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