Village President Joe Cook Charged with Not Filing Federal Tax Returns

Federal officials say Channahon's village president did not file taxes between 2006 and 2008.

By Dawn Aulet
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August 30, 2011

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Channahon Village President Joe Cook. Submitted Photo

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Federal officials filed charges Monday against Channahon Village President Joe Cook, alleging he did not file federal income tax returns between 2005 and 2008.

The charges, which are misdemeanors, claim Cook made $250,000 from two public jobs, including village president and a private consulting business, Channahon-based Phase One.

“According to the charges, Cook earned gross income from at least three sources—Channahon, Will County and Phase One—totaling approximately $69,672 in 2005, $82,542 in 2006, $60,304 in 2007, and $39,066 in 2008, but did not file federal individual tax returns. He also allegedly failed to file federal corporate tax returns for Phase One, which Cook incorporated in December 2006,” according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

When reached by phone Tuesday morning, Channahon Village President Joe Cook declined to comment on the charges.

Each count of failing to file a federal income tax return carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, in addition to paying prosecution costs and back taxes. If found guilty, there is also a civil fraud penalty of 75 percent of the underpayment plus interest.

The charges against Cook come on the heels of a lawsuit filed by the Regional Transit Authority last week, accusing the village of benefiting from a sales tax loophole. Cook said the suit was "incestuous" and "political."

Cook was reelected to his third term as village president in April.

What do you think of the charges? Tell us in the comments.

Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.

Beth Montgomery

2:03 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011

this is the same mayor who wants to raise our taxes? it must be easy to say when you dont pay taxes, really nice, teach us how to do that

Channahonian

2:28 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011

This is the same village president who has not raised our taxes since he has been in office. Someone wants his job.

dude

5:55 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011

He doent even own a house in channahon!!!So i dont have to pay my taxes on my house???He broke the law....Needs to step down..

Jackie

7:41 am on Sunday, September 18, 2011

oh please show the tax returns, it is pretty simple to prove whether he did or not!

Patricia Gladkowski

4:42 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011

money is the root of all evil,

Traci

5:01 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Regardless if someone wants his job, he broke the law and if he was smart he would of followed the law like the rest of us. He shouldn't be in the position of village president if he does not pay his taxes.

forget me

9:38 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

So, shall we get a noose & hang Mr. Cook? I'm not saying what he has done is ok, but I think he has done good for Channahon. Look at Tim geithner, pres Obama's treasury guy, he was picked & then it was found he didn't even pay his taxes! If it were us , we would be in jail. So I don't want to be a hater because of a mistake he made. We all make mistakes, even if they are not in the same categorically. I'll just say a prayer for him.

Jackie

7:43 am on Sunday, September 18, 2011

I'll say a prayer he goes to jail unless he can produce the returns! 2 wrongs don't make a right Geitner should be in jail too!

Bob

2:40 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Wait a minute you say you don't want to be a hater for A mistake , it says he didn't pay from 2005-2008, that is quite A mistake, that is just a little more than I forgot to pay my water bill.

Traci

3:10 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

IF we let this type of behavior continue than we breed this politicians to feel that they are immune to prosecution. It's the start of typical Chicago....errr Illinois politics. I am embarrassed to say I live in this state and now this....? What happened to being honest? I think that is the quality we should have in a leader...I know...good luck. If we allow this than it breeds itself to happen again. It's time we stand up for what is right. If he stole from a bank would we be as forgiving? No he stole from all of us. Who forgets to pay taxes? They sure reminds us enough!

Tim

1:57 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011

Traci,
"If we allow this than it breeds itself to happen again."

This IS it happening again!

Not even 5 months ago, the chief of police in channahon allowed one of the towns officers to stay on the force after being part of a group that assaulted an unarmed man, simply because the officer wasn't allowed in an establishment serving alcohol without showing his ID. The town 'allowed' this to happen, much to the dismay of those few who were warning that this type of behavior only feeds upon itself, and will eventually be a huge negative situation for everyone in the town.
The entirety of the officials of channahon seem to have this mentality, and the only thing that is worse is that the residents WANT them to stay. The remaining people, who haven't yet moved out as many have, will get exactly what they wanted. Whether they are aware of what that actually is, and will fully entail for them, is doubtful.

SAMMY

5:59 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011

there is a difference in not filing and not paying...even if you do not file... federal taxes are taken out of each and every pay check .

Tim

3:44 pm on Friday, September 2, 2011

Sammy, you are wrong. plain and simple. Did you even read the article? If you read the article, why did you comment on a tax laws and structure that you obviously do not understand

Independent contractors have $0 withheld in any taxes. You are obviously not an independent contractor. They are 100% responsible for their taxes on their own, and will usually have to file estimated taxes every quarter, and file a full years return once a year which will make up for any discrepancies over or under on their estimated payments.