Dunstan to name Pennekamp to levee district board, replacing Economy

Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan has nominated retired economic development leader Jim Pennekamp to the Metro-East Sanitary District after its previous chairman resigned ahead of being removed from the board.

The five-member levee district board has had an empty chair since Andy Economy resigned on Nov. 18, hours before the Madison County Board was to vote on a resolution proposed by Dunstan asking for his removal.

Since then, County Board member Helen Hawkins (D-Granite City) was endorsed by both state Sen. Bill Haine and U.S. Rep. John Shimkus as a potential replacement. Dunstan said it was unlikely that he would nominate Hawkins, as it would put two of the five members from the same township. At the time, Hawkins said she believed she was “too controversial” and outspoken to be nominated.

Pennekamp currently serves as president of the Madison County Flood Prevention District, which forms the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District along with similar districts in St. Clair and Monroe counties, tasked with overseeing the rehabilitation of the levees. He recently retired as executive director of University Park on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and as special assistant to the SIUE chancellor for regional economic development.

Previously, he served as executive director of the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois for 16 years. Among his endorsements: Haine, who had previously backed Hawkins for the seat.

“From discussions with Chairman Dunstan, I know there were a number of qualified individuals interested in the position, people who would have been excellent additions to the Metro-East Sanitation District Board of Commissioners,” Haine said in a statement. “With the appointment of Jim Pennekamp, the chairman has identified a highly-qualified, honest and competent individual who I have known and worked with for more than 25 years. I know Jim will bring stature and stability to the Metro-East Sanitation District.”

Dunstan said in discussions with area leaders and mayors, many candidates were discussed, but Pennekamp was the one individual on everyone’s list.

“Jim has successfully worked with businessmen and women, educators and elected officials and representatives from both political parties for the betterment of our area,” Dunstan said. “I cannot think of a better, more qualified individual to serve on the Metro-East Sanitation District Board of Commissioners than Jim Pennekamp.”

Dunstan said Pennekamp has been involved with major projects such as the extension of Interstate 255 into northern Madison County, creation of the Clark and Stan Musial Veterans bridges, renovation of McKinley Bridge, and two rounds of efforts to retain Scott Air Force Base.

Pennekamp was not immediately available for comment.

Hawkins said she believes Pennekamp is qualified for the job.

“He’s quite intelligent,” she said. “He seems like a good person to put on (the board).” However, Hawkins said she objects to the reappointment of Frank Laub, another board member whose term is up for renewal this year. She said she believes the board needs more of a change, and she remains willing to serve.

The Metro East Sanitary District maintains a system of levees along the Mississippi River to prevent flooding.

Economy had served on the levee district board since 1998. A News-Democrat investigation showed that as a board member, Economy had voted a dozen times to pay his own auto body shop for more than $44,000 in repair work. He has said he didn’t remember voting to pay himself and prepared estimates only to repair hail damage when the board could not get outside adjusters to do the work. Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons has requested a special prosecutor to investigate.

Levee district board members are paid $15,000 a year.

Dunstan will formally present Pennekamp’s nomination to the Madison County Board at its regular meeting Wednesday. The board will then vote whether to accept his nomination and Laub’s reappointment.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Dunstan to name Pennekamp to levee district board, replacing Economy."