Schererville engineer suspended by IDOT

SCHERERVILLE | Town Council members have different opinions about how to proceed with Schererville's engineering firm after the Illinois Department of Transportation issued a report questioning the company's business integrity.

McDonough Associates Inc., which was appointed the town's engineering firm Jan. 5, was issued an interim suspension notice last month from IDOT.

The notice indicates McDonough Associates "has demonstrated it lacks the responsible business integrity and/or honesty to contract with the Department."

IDOT reviewed McDonough Associates' records from Dec. 31, 2000 to Dec. 31, 2009, according to the interim suspension notice.

The report produced multiple findings, including that McDonough "made false or improper charges or recording of costs to its overhead account."

Pending further notice, McDonough is unable to participate on contracts awarded by IDOT.

Republican Councilman Hal Slager said the town should dismiss McDonough Associates as Schererville's engineering firm, and the company shouldn't have been considered for the position. McDonough was rehired by the council's new Democratic majority.

Council President Tom Schmitt, a Democrat, said the issues in the notice of interim suspension involve accounting.

"It doesn't have anything to do with engineering," Schmitt said.

He said he does not believe the issue will impact McDonough's ability to provide engineering services to the town.

Schmitt noted the company has provided previous work in Schererville. He said the town analyzed its records with the company, and the review produced "nothing out of the ordinary."

Republican Councilman Jerry Tippy, who was opposed to hiring McDonough, said Schererville has encountered issues with the company in the past.

Tippy said McDonough designed a floating bridge on 77th Avenue in 1997, but the bridge began deteriorating soon after installation.

"Their design didn't work," he said.

In 2004, the town decided to replace the structure.

Slager said McDonough also handled the reconstruction of Austin Avenue several years ago.

The company installed twice as many decorative street lights than were needed for the project, he said.

Half of the lights and footings had to be removed, Slager said.

Multiple attempts  by The Times to seek comment from McDonough were unsuccessful.

A person who answered the phone at the company's Chicago office said he could not provide information about the matter and could not transfer calls about the issue to any employees there.