Ex-Joliet Park District Official Resigns From Big Brothers/Sisters Amid Police Probe: WJOL (2024)

Since receiving his $99,000 retirement buyout in 2019, Ted Brodeur became CEO of the Joliet-based Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

Posted Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 10:26 am CT|Updated Fri, Jan 5, 2024 at 11:13 am CT

Scott Slocum and WJOL aired their story on Friday morning, revealing Brodeur declined to be interviewed for the story surrounding an ongoing criminal investigation of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The nonprofit organization has an office on Fairlane Drive, near West Jefferson Street.

WJOL reported that the Joliet Police Department filed a report with the Will County Sheriff's Department to investigate the financial discrepancies at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters because several of the organization's board members are affiliated with the Joliet Police Department as active or retired officers.

"I can confirm that the Joliet Police Department took a police report regarding Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties," Joliet Police Department spokesman Dwayne English informed Joliet Patch on Friday.

"This report has been forwarded to the Will County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation as there are former and current members of the Joliet Police Department that actively serve on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties Board of Directors and could be considered potential witnesses ... As this is not a Joliet Police investigation, I am unable to provide further information."

As for Brodeur, back in 2019, Joliet Patch reported that he walked away with the Joliet Park District with a taxpayer-funded payout of $98,699 to part ways with the Joliet Park District after about 30 years on the job.

On Friday, Joliet Park District executive director Brad Staab told Joliet Patch that Brodeur will be a topic of discussion at the park board's upcoming later this month. The topic will relate to financial matters, specificially during Brodeur's tenure at the park district, Staab said.

As of Friday, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties still listed Brodeur as being their leader. "Ted became CEO of the BBBS in August 2019, after serving for over 30 years at the Joliet Park District. His enthusiasm and vision have already left a mark and we look forward to great things in the future," their website proclaimed.

In 2019, Brodeur left as the Joliet Park District in good standing, retiring as the director of revenue facilities and golf operations, and his payout for leaving included $17,215, which was two months of regular salary, plus another $81,484 for his enormous nest egg of unused vacation time and sick days.

One of Brodeur's long-time coworkers, former Joliet Park District director of finances Matt Pehle, is currently facing eight felony charges surrounding allegations of misuse of Joliet taxpayer funds and credit cards at the park district, according to a Joliet police investigation that lasted two years.

In Pehle's case, he is accused of misusing Joliet Park District funds to buy expensive tickets for himself to see the Chicago Cubs games and attend music concerts.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Joliet Park District Official Gets $98,699 Payout

Matt Pehle Surrenders To Joliet Police Amid Joliet Park District Case

8 Felonies: Ex-Joliet Park District Finance Director Indicted