Free Gas For Shorewood Mayor on Backs of Taxpayers?

SHOREWOOD, IL — The mayor of Shorewood has apparently gassed up his personal car at a village pump for at least the last five years, according to a town board member and an attorney.

During their Thursday night meeting, village board members discussed Mayor Rick Chapman’s alleged habit of filling up for free at the village pumps on Route 59.

Resident Jim Lynch told the board that a mailer was sent out showing Chapman at the village pumps and brought a copy of it to the meeting.

“WOULDN’T YOU LIKE FREE GAS?” the mailer says. “VILLAGE PRESIDENT HELPS HIMSELF TO YOUR TAX DOLLARS.”

The image on the mailer is from a village surveillance camera, said Trustee Ed Murphy.

“I’m very bothered by this,” Murphy said.

Attorney Dave Silverman, who represents the village, said Chapman has been taking village gasoline for his personal car for six years. The village pumps are only supposed to be used for Shorewood’s fleet of vehicles and for Troy Fire Protection District equipment, Silverman said.

Chapman did not attend Tuesday night’s meeting. Board member Dan Anderson, who chaired the meeting in Chapman’s stead, said the mayor had “personal business to attend to tonight.”

Anderson told Lynch the board was aware that Chapman has been allegedly filling his car with village gasoline.

“We are looking into it,” Anderson said. “We have some records that were picked up. The attorney’s looking into it.”

But Anderson did not say whether Chapman did anything improper.

“I don’t have a very good answer for you,” Anderson said. “Sorry, Jim.”

Chapman did not return calls for comment Tuesday night.

Chapman possesses a chip that allows him to turn on the village gas pump, said Murphy, who asked to have the chip deactivated.

Patch viewed records supposedly showing Chapman’s usage of village gasoline for the last five years. The records say nearly $2,500 worth of untaxed gasoline was pumped.

Silverman said he did not know if Chapman’s alleged usage of village gasoline could rise to a criminal matter.

“You’re getting way ahead of it,” said Silverman, who said the mayor plans to address the issue at the next board meeting. That meeting is scheduled for April 25.

“He said he’s going to explain to the board how the gas was used for village purposes,” Silverman said.

Chapman was re-elected in last week’s election. The unofficial results showed him defeating challenger Cookie Kirkland by 34 votes. Kirkland is also on the village board.

Postcard received by Shorewood residents supposedly showing Mayor Rick Chapman filling up at a village pump | provided image