Calumet City Council Takes Legal Action for Mayor’s Spending Receipts

Calumet City’s seven aldermen decided to pursue legal means to obtain records for $76,000 in expenses made by or for Mayor Thaddeus Jones. This decision came after nearly a year of unsuccessful requests for documentation.

“We’re asking questions,” said 3rd Ward Alderman DeAndre Tillman on Wednesday. “It didn’t have to come to this.”

In September, Jones accumulated $44,000 on a city credit card, mostly during the Congressional Black Caucus’ 54th annual legislative conference in Washington. Aldermen have repeatedly requested documentation to prove these expenses were tied to city business. The mayor no longer has the credit card, but receipts remain undisclosed, despite the City Council hiring their legal counsel in December.

Tillman expressed concern when Jones promised to reimburse the city $25,000 spent during the Washington conference. He noted the check Jones provided came from a local business already owing the city money. “No council member was happy with that — it felt like a blatant lie,” Tillman said. “If something’s being covered up, what else could be hidden?”

Jones claims he sent the requested receipts in July, framing the City Council vote as politically motivated. He provided pages of receipts for 2024 and 2025 with “non-receipt justification statements” for some items. “They got everything,” Jones stated. “They want this to continue for media attention.” He argued that the City Council previously approving his expenses implicates them as well.

Aldermen contend much of the questioned spending was unauthorized. 2nd Ward Ald. Monet Wilson spoke during a scheduled City Council meeting on Dec. 8, 2025. Wilson stated that despite potential costs to taxpayers, residents and aldermen are increasingly concerned about city spending misconduct. Jones denied that wasteful spending contributes to budget deficits, which Wilson disputed:

“When taxpayer money is spent, every dollar has to be accounted for.”

Wilson highlighted how tight budgets impact addressing city issues, “After storms, with homes flooded and blocked roads, we lack funds for immediate repairs.” She emphasized it’s not about labeling Jones a criminal. “But we want checks and balances and to hold him accountable,” she said.

Jones believes the Council lacks authority to hire attorneys, which led to his lawsuit preventing firm Odelson, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath from defending aldermen as legislative counsel. Judge Alison Conlon allowed the lawsuit to proceed, with the next hearing set for Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. in Chicago’s Richard Daley Center.