The unique circumstances surrounding Markham’s mayoral position resulted in a significant payout for an alderman who took on the role of acting mayor.
Veteran 1st Ward Ald. Ernest Blevins, 86, received a $34,615 bonus on Nov. 3, based on documents released by the city. This payment was for his duties as mayor pro tem dating back to May 3, according to official records.
Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal that several city officials raised concerns regarding the payment made to Blevins.
“The HR Department is not the enemy in this situation,” La Trice Merriweather, Markham’s human resources director, communicated to City Treasurer Belinda Richardson on Nov. 1. “We are merely caught in the middle between the Mayor and the City Council (of which all are elected officials).”
Correspondence indicates that Markham’s three other aldermen questioned whether Blevins should receive the full mayoral salary of $95,000 annually, plus an extra $20,000 per year for his role as liquor commissioner.
Council members later got a legal opinion stating that Blevins was indeed entitled to this additional pay.
“The attorneys said he deserves the pay. What could you do?” Ward 2 Ald. Clifton Howard told me over the phone on Friday. “I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.”
The annual salary for each of Markham’s five aldermen is $20,000. Currently, only four positions are filled; Blevins’ council seat remains open while he serves as mayor pro tem or acting mayor.
Along with the lump sum payment, Blevins’ pay increased starting Nov. 3 to $3,653.85 every two weeks from the previous amount of $769.24 given to aldermen.
The Markham City Council unanimously voted on May 3 to appoint Blevins as mayor pro tem. He was sworn in by City Attorney Stephen Miller during a council meeting that evening.
This appointment was necessary because the winner of Markham’s April 4 mayoral election cannot assume office due to eligibility issues. Roger Agpawa, fire chief from nearby Country Club Hills, won that election.
Agpawa ran despite having a federal felony conviction from twenty years ago related to fraud charges. State law bars convicted felons from holding elected municipal offices. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx filed suit to block Agpawa’s entry into office; he is currently appealing a judge’s decision favoring the state attorney in this matter.
Addtionally, lawmakers are discussing changing state law so some convicted felons can hold local offices again. The Illinois Senate approved Senate Bill 225 with a vote of 40-17 on Oct. 25; it will be reviewed by the House during its spring session.
The former mayor of Markham, David Webb Jr., did not seek re-election after serving four terms and resigned amid allegations regarding bribery and kickback schemes involving about $300,000 in cash payments and campaign contributions.
Email exchanges provided by Markham show administrative staff seeking clarification about payroll for Blevins; he also asked about his compensation shortly after taking office as mayor pro tem.
“The last thing I was told he was entitled to the Mayor’s salary,” Merriweather wrote in a June 12 email directed at Anthony Finch, assistant chief financial officer for the city. “Definitely let us know because if he (doesn’t) receive the difference and back pay on this check he’s going to also ask us in HR and we need to be able to provide him an explanation.”
I couldn’t reach Blevins for comment on Friday but found out that he continued receiving his aldermanic salary throughout summer months according to city pay records provided.
On Oct. 23, Blevins sent out a memo instructing HR staff to start paying him salaries designated for both mayor and liquor commissioner “as well as retroactive pay beginning May 3 ,2017.”
The HR team sought written legal approval before making any changes regarding payments.
“I am not authorizing the payout at this time until I receive written approval from attorney,” Richardson wrote an HR generalist on Oct.26.
In another message addressed directly at Merriweather , Richardson firmly stated her position:
“This control is legally my responsibility as City Treasurer,” she stated.”I’m not authorizing any payout.” She repeated her request for either confirmation from city attorney “or official vote approval by Council during either special or regular meeting.”
“When I spoke with Atty. Miller , he said if Mayor(‘s) directive orders payment , we should adhere since he’s bossing appointed staff ,”Finch informed Richardson via email dated Oct.27.
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In response received upon my FOIA inquiry-Markhammade available an e-mail dated October31from Steve Adams-legal professional associatedwith Robbins Schwartz firm basedin Chicago. Hisbiography shows expertise working alongsidelocalgovernmentsregardingpublicfinance, electionlawandrelevanttopics.
“It ismyopinionthat Mr. Blevins haslegal rightandtitlefortheofficeofmayorofthe Cityof Markham, henceentitledtotheestablished salariesforboth Mayor&Liquor Commissioner,”Adamscommunicatedto Miller.
If Roger Agpawaprevailsagainst litigation pendingwithstateattorneyandfinalorder grants himrighttoholdofficeatdateelection(orshortlythereafter), mightclaimhisrighttomayorsalaryforroughsameperiod,”said Adamsin footnote.
“If Roger Agpawawas successfulinhis pending litigation with thestate’s attorney, andthe final order establishedhis rightto holdtheofficefrom dateoftheelection(orshortlythereafter), hemayhavea claimtothemayor’ssalaryforroughlythesametimeframe,” Adwas noted.
Agpawasaid viameanthatthewouldn’tseekretroactivecompensationevenif succeeding ineffectively becoming seatedmayor.”When I ranforoffice Itoldvoterswouldnot takefullsalaryreducingpayment” hesaid.”Feel inappropriate receivingpay interim time. Tomake taxpayerspaytwice wouldbe unfairnotberight.” Iasked Agpawawhatthoughtabout Blevinstransferpayments. “Iwould supportallowanceprovidedlegallyapprovedby Council” hesaid. Thetemporarypositionneedsitsformof compensationextra effortperformed.” Project Six, a government watchdoggroupledbyformer Chicago City Council Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan, soughtcriticize arrangements concerning Blevinspaymentwithinreporton December12. Iconversedoverphoneth Kelly Tarrant &Michael Grahamauthorsofthe Project Six reportmentioningthat Markhams Council ought havevoted approvingadded remuneration instead relying solely upondirectives givenactingmayorpayrolladministrators effectuate change. The group expressed dissatisfaction aimedat Markhammembersperceivedabsence transparency particularly aroundcouncil discussions taking placeopen forum publicmeetingsregardingissue. Project Six representatives shared findingsdistrictattorney/Cook County &Illinois Attorney Generals office. The state’s attorney did not respond requested commentary following review against Friday statement Anadditionalresponseemailprovidedhighlightedafterincreasecurrentlypaidamountinformational updates indicatingcityhavingfacedpressureaddress payroll-related expenses explained. Finchurged department headscease additionalexpenditures whileendingyear planning along three-week work schedules avoidingneed furlough days Howard declared agreement viewinglegality affirmateduring Bervains entitlement much raisepotentially arising conflict court case which couldincur heavy tax burden locally added tax implications surprising realm.” How manyhours weekly does Bledwins clock whenworking City Hall? Isitjustifiable merit receivingannual$95000salary? “Believe me”,”hereply confirmed regardingcalculationdepartmentalworkload”, Howardexclaimed addingacknowledgeexisting ambiguity confusionconcerningeligibility intertwined dealings relatingboth mightleave lingering uncertainty circulating consequencesyet continuing resolving matters brought forward.
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