It appears likely that Oak Park Township Trustee Eric A. King will soon resign his office.
Wednesday Journal has learned that the nine-year trustee has held residences in both Oak Park and in Tinley Park near his job as superintendent of far south suburban Matteson Elementary School District 159 for more than three years.
King and his wife, who have lived on North Ridgeland Avenue for 20 years, purchased the Tinley Park property in June 2003 for $479,000. The house is reportedly within walking distance of his job.
In 2005, King was elected to a third term as township trustee, polling nearly 20 percent of the vote in a five-person race for four seats. No one challenged his residency at the time.
Reached by phone Thursday, Township Supervisor F. David Boulanger said that he has been aware of King’s dual residence status “for about five months.” The township board, Boulanger said, discussed the issue as recently as its June meeting.
King said Thursday that he recently put his North Oak Park house on the market, and has been waiting to see if it sells soon.
“My primary residence is [on Ridgeland in Oak Park],” he said. His decision, he said, will be based on how quickly the sale goes.
Boulanger has been taking a wait-and-see approach as well.
“It’s been a concern, but I’ve relied on his integrity,” said Boulanger. “I hold him in high regard. He’s always been responsible.”
King, who said of his dual homes, “I spend some time here, I spend some time there,” said that if the Oak Park house sells quickly, “I’d probably step down.”
According to the Multiple Listing Service, which lists homes for sale, a contract was signed to buy the house last Thursday.
Although dual residency can be a complex issue, state law is clear that an elected official must live within the district he represents.
“Our overall concern is [whether someone can] represent the community if they don’t live in the community,” Boulanger said.
King had applied to become the superintendent at Proviso High School District 209, but did not win that bid.