West Cook News

Cook County Commissioner Sean M. Morrison is calling for a full investigation into Broadview’s finances, citing a $44 million unrestricted net deficit, growing liabilities, and the village’s failure to release audited financial statements since April 2022. 

Morrison said the lack of transparency may constitute violations of Illinois law and raises serious concerns about fiscal management.

The village’s financial challenges were highlighted on X by user Dr. Citizen vs. Machine, PhD, which shared a link to unaudited financial statements.

“The village of Broadview has not posted their financial statements since fiscal year end April 2022. As of that time, the village had a negative net position of $6.6 million,” Dr. Citizen vs. Machine, PhD said on X.

The report showed Broadview’s governmental activities carried long-term liabilities of nearly $65 million, compared with total assets of just over $54 million. Its unrestricted net position was reported as a negative $44 million. The village also relies heavily on fiduciary funds, resources held for the benefit of external parties, which were not reflected in the government-wide financial statements.

Morrison criticized Broadview’s financial management and called for stronger oversight.

“Broadview’s failure to publish audited financial statements since 2022 is a major red flag,” Morrison told West Cook News. “Under Illinois law, municipalities must file audits with the State Comptroller within 180 days of fiscal year-end. If they don’t, the Comptroller has full authority to impose fines, order an audit, and recover the cost from the local government. There’s no excuse for inaction here, the Comptroller should already be enforcing compliance.”

Morrison emphasized the severity of the village’s fiscal imbalance.

“Broadview’s own FY 2026 budget shows roughly $20.7 million in General Fund spending,” he said. “That makes a reported $44 million unrestricted net deficit more than double an entire year’s operating budget, a level of fiscal imbalance that signals years of poor oversight, overspending, or worse.”

He also questioned whether the financial instability is connected to the village’s political tensions, particularly protests related to the Broadview ICE facility.

“When a municipality hides its finances and ignores lawful reporting duties, that’s not just mismanagement, it’s a breakdown of government accountability,” Morrison said. “And when that same leadership refuses to cooperate with federal law enforcement, it compounds the erosion of public trust and safety.”

Morrison called for stronger legal measures to hold municipalities accountable.

“Illinois needs stronger statutory enforcement: mandatory referrals to the Comptroller for all late audits, automatic penalties for chronic offenders, and the power to suspend certain grant or tax-distribution privileges until compliance is restored,” he said. “Taxpayers deserve transparency, lawful governance, and responsible stewardship, not secrecy and chaos.”

Mayor Katrina Thompson, elected in early 2017, has faced criticism for her handling of protests tied to federal ICE operations. She has been accused by federal officials of obstructing justice by not deploying the Broadview police department to assist during demonstrations at the ICE facility.

In a Sept. 26 letter to ICE, Thompson opposed the agency’s presence in Broadview and its enforcement actions, which she said were provoking unrest. She also criticized fencing erected by ICE that she said blocked emergency access.

“In effect, you are making war on my community. And it has to stop,” Thompson wrote. “Your deliberate defiance of our local law risks a potential tragedy unfolding.”

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Thompson’s inaction endangered residents and federal agents.

“If our officers were provided the support they need, the crowd control measures referenced in your letter would not be necessary,” Lyons wrote.

Thompson’s approach has drawn criticism from state political figures, including GOP lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Del Mar. Del Mar has said her handling of the protests prioritizes political ideology over public safety.

“It doesn't make any sense,” Del Mar told West Cook News. “Why isn't she sending the Broadview Police Department in there to make sure the streets are clear and keeping the protesters on the right of way? We encourage that. You want to protest, you have a First Amendment right. Get on the right of ways, stay in the public area, stay out of the street, stay off federal property. No one's got a problem.”