South Cook News

After an extensive review of the economic interest statements of local politicians South Cook News has found discrepancies in reporting.

Cook County economic interest statements require public officials to answer seven questions regarding a public official's financial assets, income and family connections.

South Cook News reviewed public disclosures filed by Orland Park Highway Commissioner Antonio Rubino and his wife, Tinley Park Park District Commissioner Ashley Rubino.

Illinois Sunshine records shwoing payments to Antonio Rubino's AR Printing. | Illinois Sunshine

Both Ashley Rubino and Antonio Rubino were required to list the "source of any income in excess of $7,500 required to be reported during the preceding calendar year "excluding the election office that require a public official to file a statement of economic interest."

On that question, each Rubino reported in 2022 that the income requirement was "N/A" — or not applicable — to them during the previous year.

Antonio Rubino, during 2021, was paid $88,628.80 for work as a Cook County State's Attorney's Office investigator.

What was apparently left out of the required economic interest statements were politically connected side gigs held by Anthony Rubino.

State campaign records show that a company owned by Antonio Rubino, AR Printing, was paid more than $8,600 by the campaign committees Friends of Robert "Bob" Rita and United Blue Island in 2021. 

Antonio Rubino did not indicate he received income above the $7,500 reporting threshold related to his work for that company.

Ashley Rubino is notably the daughter of State Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) who’s aforementioned campaign fund paid fees to Antonio Rubino’s outside company, AR Printing.

Antonio Rubino also held secondary employment with Accel Entertainment, a video gaming company, until April 30, 2021, according to a secondary employment disclosure filing. 

Antonio Rubino did not report an income from Accel exceeding the $7,500 reporting threshold.

Cook County's economic disclosure statements also require public officials to identify any government jobs held by themselves or their spouse.

In 2021, Ashley Rubino was employed as an administrative assistant with the Illinois Department of Corrections. She was paid $68,100, according to state records and is noted as a "legislative liaison" on the State of Illinois' website.

On her 2022 disclosure form, Ashley Rubino reported her administrative assistant job, and her husband's employment as a state's attorney's office investigator and her position as Orland Township highway commissioner in 2021.

On his, Antonio Rubino reported his wife's corrections department job and elected position on the Tinley Park Park District board, along with his employment with the Cook County State's Attorney's office in 2021.

Both Rubinos responded to requests for comment from South Cook News denying anything was left off their economic interest statements.

“I have reviewed both my economic impact statement as well as the legal reporting requirements under the law, and I am in 100 percent in compliance with the law. I take ethics and compliance very seriously, and I have answered the questions on the economic impact statement accurately and honestly,” Antonio Rubino told South Cook News.

Ashley Rubino also noted she is in compliance with ethics laws.

“My economic interest statement was filed in full compliance with the legal reporting requirements under the law. I take ethics laws and compliance very seriously, and any assertion otherwise is false,” Ashley Rubino told South Cook News.        

In addition, the Rubinos reached out to South Cook News through Maura Possley of Boyce Possley Communications. 

Ashley Rubino’s Tinley Park Park District board also pays $4,000 per month to Boyce Possley Communications. 

Possley has recently served as a personal spokesman for former house speaker Michael Madigan regarding his connection to the ComEd bribery scandal as well as for Madigan’s daughter, former attorney general Lisa Madigan.

Rita – Ashley Rubino's father – is notably set to testify against Madigan in April 2024. He previously testified against Madigan alleged co-conspirators in the sprawling ComEd Four bribery trial.