SWANCC executive director resigns

The executive director of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County has resigned from his post following allegations that money is missing from the agency.

C. Brooke Beal's attorney submitted a letter announcing his resignation Monday afternoon, according to a memo provided to the Daily Herald by SWANCC officials.

The 47-year-old Beal was placed on paid leave from his $160,000-per-year job on Oct. 18 after an independent audit found a discrepancy that showed a “significant amount” of money unaccounted for in the agency's financial records, according to SWANCC officials.

While officials won't confirm how much money is unaccounted for, sources have said it could be as much as $400,000.

No one has been charged, and neither Beal or his attorney have commented publicly on the allegations.

SWANCC officials say they contacted the Cook County state's attorney's office, but that office won't confirm Beal is under investigation.

The memo, released Monday, said SWANCC officials were preparing to stop paying Beal's salary until the investigation was concluded, but with his resignation that action is no longer needed.

SWANCC board Chairman George Van Dusen, also the Skokie mayor, said last week their auditor found a document believed to be falsified, but he declined to elaborate.

The money that appears to be missing came from a budget line for staff's continuing education.

“It is also our goal, and our responsibility to the taxpayers of the 23 communities we serve to obtain a full accounting of what took place under the former executive director's watch and to seek full restitution from any culpable parties,” the memo read.

SWANCC, with a processing plant in Glenview, helps coordinate garbage pickup for 23 North and Northwest communities, which pay membership costs to the agency.

By leveraging the towns together, SWANCC tries to reduce the costs of waste pickup for municipalities, as well as give the towns a central point for dumping.

Member towns include Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Park Ridge and Rolling Meadows.

SWANCC officials have moved to change their policies in the wake of the news. The entire executive board will now have to approve expenditures that previously only required the treasurer's signature.

SWANCC's treasurer is James Norris, the village manager of Hoffman Estates. He assumed the post in May, which is after the suspected discrepancies occurred. Norris replaced former Winnetka Village Manager Doug Williams who retired. Neither are suspected of wrongdoing.

Beal joined the agency in 1989 and became executive director in 1993.

The agency has appointed Assistant Executive Director Steven Schilling to assume Beal's duties on an interim basis. SWANCC is conducting audits of past years. They've used the same auditor in years past, Van Dusen said.

SWANCC's executive board is scheduled to convene on Wednesday and could discuss the matter in executive session.