Evanston hired Crystal Lake police chief as private investigator to probe Motor Fuel Tax funds use
Linda Nguyen, a recent graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Environmental Studies, is passionate about sustainability issues in the Evanston area. She worked as a freelance writer for local environmental nonprofits before joining Evanston Current.
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The City of Evanston hired Thomas Kotlowski, the Crystal Lake police chief, as a private investigator months ago to probe Evanston’s use of Motor Fuel Tax funds, records show. The city contracted with Clarity One Solutions LLC on June 29 to “provide investigative services,” including for “internal investigations involving public employee misconduct involving alleged policy/rule violations,” according to an agreement obtained by the Illinois Answers Project. Kotlowski, who’s listed as manager of Clarity One Solutions, signed the contract. He’s a longtime member of the Crystal Lake Police Department and was promoted to chief in August. Public records reveal his company was previously registered at his home address, and his email signature lists a business address in Crystal Lake. Emails obtained by Illinois Answers reveal Kotlowski communicated with city officials about Motor Fuel Tax funds multiple times. In a June 29 email to Corporation Counsel Alex Ruggie, Kotlowski stated h