East Central Reporter

Three years after losing his position as the Village President of Poplar Grove, Owen Costanza continues to use the title. His persistent use of the title on his Facebook account and email address has raised eyebrows among residents.

Costanza, who currently serves as an elected village trustee, was spotted last week driving his Cadillac to a city council meeting. Notably, he parked in the fire lane and displayed "Mayor" license plates on his vehicle. Residents later took photos of the same vehicle in his driveway, still sporting the "Mayor" license plate.

On May 9, 2024, a complaint was filed with the Secretary of State Police. The complaint alleges that Costanza is unlawfully displaying a "Mayor" license plate despite not having held the village president's office since 2021. It also states that he is required to certify his status each year when renewing a "Mayor" license plate. According to the Secretary of State, Costanza should have surrendered the "Mayor" license plate immediately upon leaving office.

A Freedom of Information Act request has been filed with the Secretary of State for Costanza's renewal applications and attestation of his status upon renewal of the "Mayor" license plates. If it is found that Costanza provided improper attestation to obtain a specific license plate, he could face consequences.

Based on past experiences with similar cases, it is expected that the Secretary of State Police will act swiftly. For instance, they took action within days regarding unlawful Thornton Township police license plates following receipt of a complaint.