Calumet City aldermen say they will seek reimbursement of several payments to people and businesses after receiving more information on city spending, including via Mayor Thaddeus Jones’ municipal credit card,
During a special meeting Monday that Jones did not attend, some aldermen said they received conflicting information on expenses that represent a larger pattern of lack of transparency.
Aldermen have raised concerns about Jones’ September municipal credit card statements, citing $44,000 in expenses, much of it spent during the Congressional Black Caucus’ 54th annual legislative conference in Washington that some city officials attended. The City Council voted to reduce Jones’ credit card limit from $50,000 to $5,0000 but has not yet decided how much the mayor will have to reimburse the city.
“Although things may seem stagnant at times, we do have to get as much information as we can, and sometimes that’s delayed,” Ald. Ramonde Williams said Tuesday. “We’re definitely moving things in the right direction, trying to be more fiscally responsible.”
Council members revisited some of those expenses after receiving documentation from Jones, including $650 to musician Craig Harper, $1,400 to Crete-based Del Santo’s Sausage and Catering, $140 to Cafe Borgia in Munster, Indiana, and $545 to Bill’s Grill in Calumet City.
Miacole Nelson and Melissa Phillips, who campaigned with Jones before being elected to represent the 6th ward earlier this year, pointed out discrepancies in expense reports, including that Harper was hired to perform at a breast cancer awareness event in October. Both said they attended the event and Harper was not working.
“The DJ’s bill has already come through,” Nelson said. “(Jones) gave the wrong explanation. He could’ve mixed it up, but it’s not the DJ.”
Calumet City 4th Ward Ald. Ramonde Williams reviews an expense document during a special City Council committee meeting on Tuesday. (Olivia Stevens/Daily Southtown)
Nelson expressed concerns about previous payments to Harper that also show discrepancies.
“We see a pattern here,” Nelson said. “Let’s talk about it.”
The City Council voted to table the payment to Harper as aldermen continue discussing how to reimburse the city for many charges they say were unauthorized.
Second Ward Ald. Monet Wilson pointed out a pattern of payments via Jones’ credit card to Cafe Borgia over the past year for which she said the mayor should reimburse the city. She said the $545 payment to Bill’s Grill was made the same day as the breast cancer awareness event as well as the restaurant’s grand opening, which were both offered as explanations for spending there.
Wilson has announced plans to run as an independent candidate for state representative against Jones in his other capacity as state representative in the 29th District.
“The breast cancer walk was held at the local school, not at Bill’s Grill,” Wilson said. “I understand that they had a grand opening that same day. We normally do not pay for people’s grand openings.”
Calumet City 2nd Ward Ald. Monet Wilson speaks during a special City Council committee meeting Monday. (Olivia Stevens/Daily Southtown)
Payments to Mulch Masters, Accurate Board-Up and Glass, and Napleton River Oaks Cadillac were approved as aldermen said explanations of the payments were adequate.
Jones said Tuesday that Monday night’s meeting was an example of aldermen “trying to impugn on the executive branch” and that he is unable change receipts and invoices provided to the City Council.
He said new Alds. Nelson and Phillips don’t understand Calumet City’s expense system, leading to the removal of “legitimate city expenses.”
“They’re complaining about expenses that are routine expenses,” Jones said.
Nelson said Monday she held off on criticizing the mayor until receiving documentation of the questioned expenses, but “things need to change.”
“It’s nothing personal toward anybody, but I was elected to handle the people’s business, and I am a professional woman,” Nelson said.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/09/calumet-city-questions-mayor-thaddeus-jones-expenses/
