South Cook News

Orland Township Highway Commissioner Antonio Rubino, 43, is a man of many part-time jobs, according to public records obtained by South Cook News.

Rubino, who was elected highway commissioner in 2021, works as an $80,582-a-year investigator in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. And he previously had a 16-year career as a Cook County Sheriff's Department investigator. 

Cook County State's Attorney "secondary employment" disclosures filed in 2020 and 2021 show that Rubino reported that he worked "office security" for Accel Entertainment, a state licensed video gambling company.

State Rep. Bob Rite (D-Blue Island) | ILGA

In 2020, Rubino reported working 24-36 hours a week "watching cameras" for Accel Entertainment, records show.

Between 2018 and 2021, Rubino also had a video gambling terminal handler license, according to Illinois Gaming Board records. On Oct. 1, 2021, Rubino wrote to inform the gaming board that he no longer was employed as a terminal handler by Accel Entertainment, records show.

In addition to Rubino's employment compensation, people associated with Accel Entertainment have made donations to the political fund of his 34-year-old wife, Tinley Park Park District Commissioner Ashley Rita Rubino, who attended Shepard H.S in Palos Heights and St. Xavier University in Chicago.

Ashley Rubino's father is State Rep. Bob Rita, who was lead sponsor of the state's video gambling law. Rita also has twice testified as a federal witness in the corruption trials of ComEd officials and former House Speaker Michael Madigan's closes confidantes, Tim Mapes and Michael McClain. 

On March 30, Accel Entertainment executive vice president of government relations Michael Pappas, his wife Bernadette Pappas and a Pappas-owned company, Linder Plaza, Ltd. donated a total of $25,000 to the campaign fund of Rubino's wife, Tinley Park Park District Commissioner Ashley Rubino, state records show. 

In addition to his employment with the video slot machine company, Rubino reported in 2021 that he also worked for Clark International, a private security firm, records show. 

The Orland Township Highway Commissioner also reported having secondary employment working with three companies he owns including AR Construction, a residential general housing contractor, AR Security and AR Printing – a family business that prints menus and fliers. Campaign funds controlled by Rita have paid more than $10,000 to AR Printing, according to state records. 

Rita was a key witness in the ComEd Four trial and is expected to reprise the role in the April 2024 trial of former house speaker Michael Madigan.

In testimony, Rita said when assistant majority leader he was the main sponsor of a pivotal energy bill highlighted during the ComEd Four corruption trial.

Rita also revealed he was guided by lobbyist Mike McClain and former Madigan, admitting his lack of familiarity with energy matters.

Rita's testimony highlighted Madigan's influence through "fear and intimidation," as he recounted instances where McClain directed his actions, culminating in the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act benefiting ComEd's parent company, Exelon, while former counsel Thomas O'Neill's role was underscored in the company's legislative efforts.

At the conclusion of the ComEd Four trial, McClain, ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and lobbyist Jay Doherty, who previously ran the City Club of Chicago, were convicted of scheming to pay $1.3 million to Madigan-connected people and companies.

Rubino did not respond to a request for comment from South Cook News.