Channahon Village President Admits To Not Filing Tax Returns

CHANNAHON, Ill. (CBS) -- The village president of Channahon has admitted to failing to file federal income tax returns for four years.

Joe Cook, who has been village president since 2003, had faced six counts alleging that between 2005 to 2008 — when he made $290,000 from two public jobs and a consulting job in the private sector — he didn't pay federal income taxes.

He pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Morton Denlow to failing to file a personal tax return for 2005 and failing to file a corporate tax return for 2007.

Cook returns to court for sentencing on Jan. 17, when he will face up to two years in prison and restitution of about $14,000, according to the plea agreement.

Cook's income tax charges came a week after the city of Chicago and the Regional Transportation Authority filed lawsuits against the village of Channahon and the city of Kankakee, alleging the towns provided companies with incentives to set up "sham shop" sales offices in the those towns to avoid paying higher sales taxes in Chicago and Cook County.

"I think they're operating within the limits of the law," he said at the time.

Since then, a number of Cook County suburbs have joined the lawsuit.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

In:
• Tax Returns
• Channahon