West Central Reporter

Nauvoo Mayor John McCarty appears to have improperly submitted his Statements of Economic Interest with Hancock County, omitting his ownership of a business that has received payments from the city since at least 2013.

The omissions were identified by the government oversight groups the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW) and openNauvoo.

Statements of Economic Interest are forms all elected officials must submit, detailing their sources of income and ownership of businesses to inform the public and avoid any conflicts of interest.

While McCarty’s statements show no such ownerships, he is the agent and president of Outlaw Tee’s according to the Illinois Secretary of State business registry. Expense reports sourced by the watchdog groups show that the city paid nearly $8,300 to the company between 2013 and 2016, though the ECW say an official public notice suggests a figure closer to $9,800 for fiscal year 2015.

The ECW has contacted the Illinois State Police investigator for Zone 4 and been in touch with the Hancock County State’s Attorney Jason Pohren. Due to Pohren’s past involvement with the county, he said he couldn't investigate due to a potential conflict of interest. He suggested contacting the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, which told the ECW it would need a referral from Pohren.