UPDATE: Village Officials Hope for "Quick Resolution" to Cook's Federal Charges

Channahon Village Manager and Police Chief Joe Pena said Channahon officials are aware of the federal charges filed earlier this week against .

"The Channahon Village Board is aware of the current allegations against Mayor Joe Cook concerning his personal finances and not being current with his taxes," Pena said in a written statement sent by the village Wednesday morning. "We are confident that the allegations will be responded to in an appropriate matter."

On Tuesday, , who they say failed to file federal taxes between 2005 and 2008.

"Even though the allegations have no direct bearing on village operations, we are hopeful for a quick resolution to the issue so that we can remain focused on providing quality services to our residents," Pena said in the news release.

In a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, Pena said he did not know whether a misdemeanour charge could legally be grounds for removing an official from a village leadership position.

"My guess is if it would be something of moral turpitude," he said.

Pena referred the question to the Channahon Village Attorney Dave Silverman.

"The law says that you're unfit to hold office if you are convicted of purjury, bribery, felony or other infamous crime," Silverman said. "I don't think that a misdemeanour tax issue is an infamous crime."

Even though residents may be wanting to see the removal of a board member facing or convicted of a crime other than the above, they really have no legal recourse to do so, Silverman said.

Filed Monday, the complaint says Cook did not report about $250,000 in income made between 2005 and 2008. Of that, about $16,000 per year was made from his position as village president, broken down as follows:

• $7,200 annually for work as village president
• $720 annually for work as liquor commissioner
• $4,052.64 annually to attend Committee of the Whole meetings
• $4,052.64 annually to attend Village Board meetings
• $168.86 per special meeting attended

Cook, who was as village president in April, has declined to comment on the charges.