Lake County Gazette

An Illinois watchdog reporting group alleged that the Avon Township supervisor used his official government email for election purposes.

The Edgar County Watchdogs received emails from the account of Supervisor Terry Wilke, who is also a Lake County board member, where he allegedly discussed his election campaign in Lake County.

If the emails are authentic, Wilke could be found in violation of the state laws that specify that "public funds, property or credit shall be used only for public purposes," Edgar County Watchdogs reported. The state prohibits public funds and property from being used for campaigning.

The emails Edgar Watchdogs reported about dated back to early December.

On Dec. 4, Wilke replied to an email that he was running for township supervisor. He said that the opposition he faces comes from "Donald Trump devotees" for trying to put an end to his alleged behavior of transferring real estate and vehicles from the township's name to his and his nonprofit food pantry without approval, Edgar Watchdogs reported.

In an email on Dec. 5, Wilke reportedly responded to a second email where he called a person "a member of the 'Lake County Nazi club'" and invited the sender to help with collecting campaign signatures, Edgar Watchdogs reported. He also welcomed the sender to meet him at the town hall to discuss his campaign and provided a link to donate.

Edgar Watchdogs reported that Wilke "did not deny sending the emails."

A few days after the Jan. 13 Edgar Watchdogs article, the organization reported that Wilke said he was the "victim" of its reporting.

Edgar Watchdogs posted an email on Jan. 19 with Wilke reportedly writing, "I have indeed been a victim of Edgar County Watchdogs. They appear to be working with the group that is running against me in the upcoming April 21 elections."

Wilke has been the township supervisor of Avon since 1979. He is also a county board member, forest preserve commissioner and a college educator.