Enough is Enough of Terry Ruff
Let’s do a quick recap Terry Ruff’s disastrous tenure as President of the Palatine Park District Board of Commissioners:
🚨Violated Open Meetings Act
On May 13, 2024, the vote to close Palatine Stables was held without proper public notice—an Illinois Open Meetings Act violation and Class C misdemeanor. The board was forced to redo the vote on July 8.
💸 Inflated Cost Claims
Terry Ruff backed a $2.6M repair estimate from Park District staff based on an internal spreadsheet—not real bids. Actual contractor estimates ranged from $7,280 to $151,000.
💸 Is STILL Wasting Tax Dollars
- $225k: The amount the Palatine Park District has budgeted in 2025 to demolish the Palatine Stables (source)
- $136,625: The highest quote obtained by Palatine Park District to repair the Palatine Stables (source)
- $88,375: Tax Dollars Wasted by Terry Ruff’s plan to demolish a profitable business
🛑 Silencing Public Voices
Ruff had a critic removed by police during public comment (picture below), raising First Amendment concerns. He ignored hundreds of residents and prioritized staff loyalty over public input.
🐴 Ignored Animal Welfare
After closing the stables, Ruff offered inadequate support for displaced school horses or their new caretakers—despite repeated requests.
🔍 Lacked Transparency & Accountability
Ruff avoided open communication, skipped due diligence (like reviewing bids), and refused to explore solutions or involve the public in decisions.
Enough is enough of Terry Ruff.