Freeport Airport Fight Exposes Alleged Bid Rigging, Outsourcing, and Backroom Deals

FREEPORT, IL – September 06, 2025

A fight over who controls a small Midwestern airport has erupted into allegations of bid rigging, secret deals, and systemic neglect — with critics warning that the controversy could cost taxpayers millions and jeopardize federal funding.

At the center is Albertus Municipal Airport, a modest general aviation facility in Freeport, Illinois. For years, City Manager Rob Boyer and Mayor Jodi Miller have pushed to replace the current airport manager with a private firm, Heritage Aero. Opponents say the process has been manipulated from the start — and official complaints now allege potential violations of state and federal law.

A Process in Question

The dispute dates back to when former Alderman James R. Monroe released text messages showing direct communication between Boyer, Heritage Aero, and other city officials. Critics say those exchanges proved Heritage Aero was being groomed for the contract long before any fair process was launched.

Instead of opening the field, the city raised barriers. Applicants were told they must hold a pilot’s license and carry a $5 million insurance policy — requirements that excluded most small operators, including the sitting airport manager.

“Managing an airport happens on the ground, not at 30,000 feet in the air,” Monroe says.

A Troubled Choice

Ironically, industry sources suggest Heritage Aero itself may not qualify. The firm has been accused of overcharging clients, failing to meet FAA safety and maintenance standards, and was previously forced out of Rockford Airport. Insurers have reportedly balked at covering the company.

Despite this, City Hall continued to advance Heritage Aero.

The Smoking Gun

Longtime airport advocate Jon XX shared an email chain with Boyer that reinforced critics’ claims:

  • Aug. 13, 5:52 a.m. — John XX asked for the RFP, saying he hadn’t received it.

  • Aug. 13, 8:15 a.m. — Boyer sent the documents, insisting the process was “open and transparent.”

  • Later that morning — John XX replied, “I know a ‘do not respond to’ document when I see it. There is no question now that the new airport manager has already been selected.” He added that he had installed surveillance cameras in his hangar to protect himself and his aircraft.

  • Aug. 13, 11:53 a.m. — Boyer responded with a carefully worded denial.

John XX verdict: “There is no question this is bid rigging on its face.”

Formal Complaints

Two formal objections are now under review:

  • Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office was asked to investigate whether the pilot’s license requirement was discriminatory.

  • Stephenson County State’s Attorney Carl Larson received a 14-point complaint citing possible violations of Illinois procurement law, FAA regulations, and the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

The RFQ Documents

The official Request for Quotations (#51), released in August 2025, provides a mixed picture. While it includes extensive background on airport operations and detailed compliance requirements, it also contains troubling provisions:

  • A “preferred” pilot’s license requirement irrelevant to management.

  • Mandatory one-on-one pre-proposal meetings with Boyer. Which James Monroe confirmed both Miller and Boyer failed to uphold.

  • Conflicting rules about public vs. private bid review.

  • A FOIA disclaimer suggesting the city could withhold records at its discretion.

  • Contract terms of up to 19 years, granting broad authority to a private operator.

Voices of Opposition

The controversy has spilled into state politics. Joshua T. Atkinson (R), candidate for Illinois Senate District 45, told Fighting4Freeport:

“Over Mayor Miller’s two terms, the airport has been nothing more than a runway for controversy and neglect. When I ran against Mayor Miller, I supported ending the third-party contractor system the mayor seems dedicated to, paying top dollar to outsource her own departments. The airport manager should be a city department head — not a consultant hidden from accountability. Outsourcing isn’t about saving costs; it’s about avoiding transparency, since contractors aren’t subject to FOIA. If the mayor can’t get it together, the state of Illinois must do it for her. Any municipal airport receiving state taxpayer dollars should be owned and operated by the city itself, not farmed out in backroom deals.”

What’s at Stake

Albertus Airport handles about 25,000 operations annually and supports 65 based aircraft. Critics warn the city’s approach risks FAA fines, loss of grant funding, and even closure of the airport. For Freeport’s economy and credibility, the stakes are significant.

“This isn’t competition,” said one community advocate. “It’s corruption.”

The Bigger Picture

Freeport’s fight reflects a broader issue facing small-town America: whether local governments can resist the temptations of insider deals and maintain transparency while managing critical infrastructure.

In Illinois, where municipal airports rely heavily on federal and state grants, the outcome in Freeport could set an example for how much sunlight — or secrecy — taxpayers are willing to tolerate.