Calumet City Council has significantly reduced the credit limit of Mayor Thaddeus Jones from $50,000 to $5,000 following an internal review of his municipal credit card usage. This decision, made on November 4, 2023, was prompted by a controversial bill list associated with a late-September trip to Washington, D.C., during which substantial expenses were incurred.
A thorough examination of the city credit card records revealed charges exceeding $44,000 in September, primarily linked to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) conference. Following the review, the council voted to eliminate 25 specific line items from the October bill list. The disputed expenses included costs for restaurant meals, private tours, and various payments to vendors, among which were two bills from Hooters and a $2,700 charge at STK in Washington. Additional transactions included payments to KSM Logistics and several online purchases through Amazon and PayPal.
The spending was initially sanctioned as part of an officially approved delegation to attend the CBC conference, with prior council authorization covering travel and accommodation for the mayor and his staff. Meeting records reveal that the council had established capped travel allowances and designated attendees. However, these earlier approvals became contentious once the charges were disclosed, triggering heightened scrutiny from council members.
During discussions at a Finance Committee meeting on November 4, there was considerable debate regarding whether to revoke the mayor’s credit card entirely and require him to reimburse the city for the expenses incurred. Reports indicate that Jones provided a check for $25,000 to the city treasurer, intended to address a portion of the disputed charges. City records confirm that the council had budgeted for the Washington trip and had approved accommodations for Jones, which later faced questioning. This combination of factors led to calls for stricter spending controls.
In light of these events, the Finance Committee ultimately decided against canceling the credit card but instead voted to lower the mayor’s spending limit. This decision reflects a growing desire for tighter oversight of municipal expenditures, according to public records and the Calumet City meetings portal.
The scrutiny surrounding Thaddeus Jones extends beyond this recent credit card controversy. He has faced ongoing investigation since receiving a grand jury subpoena from the Illinois State Board of Elections in 2022, alongside significant legal fees reported through his campaign committees. This federal inquiry and previous complaints regarding campaign spending have fueled council members’ concerns about financial oversight.
Moving forward, council leaders have expressed their intent to establish clearer regulations regarding city credit card usage. Proposed changes include specific vendor restrictions, pre-approval requirements for expenses, and regular audits, all of which will be discussed in upcoming committee meetings. Local residents, watchdog groups, and Jones’ political opponents are anticipated to closely monitor these developments as the council prepares for the next budget cycle.
