McHenry County Blog

Looks like the defense attorneys backing Dan Regna for McHenry County State’s Attorney aren’t putting in enough money.

Regna’s campaign fund reported a $3,000 loan from himself on Monday.

The same day he also received $500 from Robert and Margaret Dobson of Streit Road in Harvard.

Also reported yesterday, Republican Party Chairman Bill LeFew chipped in another $1,000, this time from his campaign. No personal, Regna knows nothing about this expenditure this time. Not at all like the anonymous mailing LeFew financed.

That’s $2,500 from LeFew so far and Regna has not reported the anonymous hit piece mailing yet.

Mathew and Jamie Voss of Flora Drive in Algonquin gave $1,000 on the 18th.

And on the 15th Citizens for Dan Regna is reported to have loaned Citizens for Dan Regna $1,500.

That, of course, makes no sense. My guess is that it is a loan from Regna to his campaign fund.

Expect an amended report to be filed.

$13,000 is similarly reported on Regna’s report for the last six months of 2007.

That will have to be changed, too.

Since I’m looking at Regna’s disclosure forms, let me add some detail for those six months.

If the $13,000 is from Regna, it means that that six-month’s $25,716 of campaigning (in which $25,716 was spent) was more than 50% self-financed.

Let’s look at the politicos helping Regna.

• LeFew’s campaign fund gave $1,000 on October 2, 2007, and another $500 on November 13th.
• Sheriff contributed $1,000 on October 1st, the day before LeFew’s first money.
• The most politically active union locally, the Operating Engineers Local 150 headquartered in Lakemoor, contributed $250 on October 29th.

Now, let’s look at the individuals and companies that contributed over $150 during the last half of 2007.

• Daniel Beio of Fitzgerald Lane in Huntley -$250
• Anne Brophy of Prairie Ridge Drive, Woodstock – $300
• Buss Ford of McHenry – $500
• Glenn Gable, Kishwaukee Valley Road, Marengo – $250 (Gable, of course, ran unsuccessfully against Lou Bianchi for State’s Attorney in 2004)
• Thomas Goode, Shadowwood Drive, Crystal Lake – $250
• Gummerson & Rausch, Woodstock law firm – $255
• Home State Bank, based in Crystal Lake – $250
• George Kililis, E Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake $500
• Former State Senator Richard Klemm, Minuteman Circle, Crystal Lake – $250
• Ronald Korabik, Bull Valley Drive, Woodstock – $250.00
• KRW Insurance, Memorial Drive, Crystal Lake – $250
• Jeffrey Lezotte, 2145 Southport, Chicago – $250
• Marengo Mayor Don Lockhart, a former deputy sheriff, Georgeanne Court – $200
• Michling Hoffman Vinton & Plaza, Woodstock law firm – $250
• Vince Nett, River Road, McHenry – $151 (Obviously a man who wanted his contribution reported.)
• Robert Salazar, Brookside Way, Wonder Lake $200

Regna also has $5,316 in campaign contributions in amounts of less than $150.01. I would guess that Regna held a fund raiser where the suggested donation was $150 in order to be able to keep those contributors hidden. Just a guess.

But, you don’t finance a campaign as intense as Regna’s with $150 contributions.

= = = = =
Thanks to Heck of a Guy blogger Allan Showalter, I am able to show you the slides of the rotating ad that Dan Regna is running in the Northwest Herald. I have made them bigger than they appear on my NW Herald screen.

Looks like the defense attorneys backing Dan Regna for McHenry County State’s Attorney aren’t putting in enough money.

Regna’s campaign fund reported a $3,000 loan from himself on Monday.

The same day he also received $500 from Robert and Margaret Dobson of Streit Road in Harvard.

Also reported yesterday, Republican Party Chairman Bill LeFew chipped in another $1,000, this time from his campaign. No personal, Regna knows nothing about this expenditure this time. Not at all like the anonymous mailing LeFew financed.

That’s $2,500 from LeFew so far and Regna has not reported the anonymous hit piece mailing yet.

Mathew and Jamie Voss of Flora Drive in Algonquin gave $1,000 on the 18th.

And on the 15th Citizens for Dan Regna is reported to have loaned Citizens for Dan Regna $1,500.

That, of course, makes no sense. My guess is that it is a loan from Regna to his campaign fund.

Expect an amended report to be filed.

$13,000 is similarly reported on Regna’s report for the last six months of 2007.

That will have to be changed, too.

Since I’m looking at Regna’s disclosure forms, let me add some detail for those six months.

If the $13,000 is from Regna, it means that that six-month’s $25,716 of campaigning (in which $25,716 was spent) was more than 50% self-financed.

Let’s look at the politicos helping Regna.

• LeFew’s campaign fund gave $1,000 on October 2, 2007, and another $500 on November 13th.
• Sheriff contributed $1,000 on October 1st, the day before LeFew’s first money.
• The most politically active union locally, the Operating Engineers Local 150 headquartered in Lakemoor, contributed $250 on October 29th.

Now, let’s look at the individuals and companies that contributed over $150 during the last half of 2007.

• Daniel Beio of Fitzgerald Lane in Huntley -$250
• Anne Brophy of Prairie Ridge Drive, Woodstock – $300
• Buss Ford of McHenry – $500
• Glenn Gable, Kishwaukee Valley Road, Marengo – $250 (Gable, of course, ran unsuccessfully against Lou Bianchi for State’s Attorney in 2004)
• Thomas Goode, Shadowwood Drive, Crystal Lake – $250
• Gummerson & Rausch, Woodstock law firm – $255
• Home State Bank, based in Crystal Lake – $250
• George Kililis, E Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake $500
• Former State Senator Richard Klemm, Minuteman Circle, Crystal Lake – $250
• Ronald Korabik, Bull Valley Drive, Woodstock – $250.00
• KRW Insurance, Memorial Drive, Crystal Lake – $250
• Jeffrey Lezotte, 2145 Southport, Chicago – $250
• Marengo Mayor Don Lockhart, a former deputy sheriff, Georgeanne Court – $200
• Michling Hoffman Vinton & Plaza, Woodstock law firm – $250
• Vince Nett, River Road, McHenry – $151 (Obviously a man who wanted his contribution reported.)
• Robert Salazar, Brookside Way, Wonder Lake $200

Regna also has $5,316 in campaign contributions in amounts of less than $150.01. I would guess that Regna held a fund raiser where the suggested donation was $150 in order to be able to keep those contributors hidden. Just a guess.

But, you don’t finance a campaign as intense as Regna’s with $150 contributions.

= = = = =
Thanks to Heck of a Guy blogger Allan Showalter, I am able to show you the slides of the rotating ad that Dan Regna is running in the Northwest Herald. I have made them bigger than they appear on my NW Herald screen.

During January of the 2004 Republican primary campaign for McHenry County State’s Attorney, Gary Pack’s Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Regna sent out a letter endorsing Pack’s top assistant and his sub-boss Glenn Gable for the office.

Sheriff Keith Nygren felt impelled to write a rebuttal, a copy of which has been obtained by McHenry County Blog. It was FAXed from Nygren’s “MCHENRY CO SHERIFFS” office machine.

It contains some pretty harsh words, which, at minimum, are ironic considering Nygren’s endorsement of Regna late last week.

Although I have added paragraphs to make it easier to read, here’s what it said. (You can read the original, by clicking on the images of the document).

January 29, 2004

On January 28th, 2004 the Deputy Sheriff’s of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department received the attached letter via the U.S. Mail, addressed to them individually utilizing the Sheriff’s Department’s address. The letter is dated January 22nd, 2004, and is signed by Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Regan of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The purposed of my correspondence is to inform those of you (county elected officials) who are the subject of the ASA Regna’s accusations and to insure that members of the Sheriff’s Department are not subjected to a misinformation campaign. It is my intent to defend the integrity of the Office of the Sheriff and all county elected officials at every level.

As you know First Assistant State’s Attorney Glenn Gable is engaging in a political campaign that is seeking the office of the McHenry County State’s Attorney. 0

In an effort to support Glenn Gable, ASA Dan Regna has authored the attached letter that purports to voice his opinion and concerns about the Sheriff’s Department, County Board Members, and other Elected Officials in McHenry County as it relates to the office of the State’s Attorney.

As you read ASA Dan Regna’s letter it is clear that it an instrument to encourage a disruptive environment within the Sheriff’s Department, it assails the integrity of every Elected Official in county government, and brings into question the professional relationship between the State’s Attorney’s Office and those they are obligated to represent.

There are several passages within ASA Dan Regna’s letter that are troubling and are presented in the context of if Glenn Gable is not elected,

“…You will have an Assistant State’s Attorney directly representing the Sheriff’s administration in all employment and labor matters against you individually and collectively.”

As Sheriff, I work tirelessly at building bridges with all of our employees which include their bargaining agents. The aforementioned statement is a divisive, unfounded and an inaccurate remark that is at the very least destructive in nature.

ASA Dan Regna also states,

”The Sheriff’s Administration will have the direct resources of the State’s Attorney’s Office at their beck and call,”

here he has alleged that an inappropriate allocation of resources will be directed by the Sheriff.

It has always been my belief that developing a close and effective professional relationship with our peers is something every elected official should strive fo.

ASA Dan Regna further states,

”This should be particularly disturbing to you regarding Lou Bianchi considering his personal friendship and political endorsement by your Sheriff.”

To further illustrate the impropriety of such a relationship, ASA Dan Regna states,

“I personally will not work for any State’s Attorney who does not have political independence from county officials and police administrators.”

Clearly ASA Dan Regna has allowed his political alliance to misrepresent the relationship between the Office of State’s Attorney and all other elected officials in county government.

He has specifically impugned the character of the Office of the Sheriff and all the members of the Sheriff’s Department by his baseless assertions to the extent that it requires a response from me. To fail to address these statements by a representative of our State’s Attorney’s Office would be to lend them credence. I am elected by the people and being part of a political system will always seek out the best candidate to meet the needs of the criminal justice system.

It is unconscionable for a man in Regna’s position to be making statements of this nature in the manner in which he did.

ASA Dan Regna continues by stating,

”Unfortunately, with respect to the Sheriff’s Department, our office does have a legal obligation to hire legal counsel and representation to the Sheriff in all employment and labor matters.”

I submit to you that ASA Dan Regna’s statement is a direct assault on the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department and the oath of office they take to serve the citizens of this county. He attack continues when he states,

”Our office cannot be the personal hatchet man of county officials,”

and

”Expenditures for outside counsel are a direct function of the personnel decisions of your Sheriff, other county department heads, and our county board, not the State’s Attorney.”

The only unfortunate aspect is that ASA Dan Regna has failed to realize that the integrity of any elected official’s office is in direct correlation with the integrity of those who staff it. His dissertation was an emotional, desperate act of an individual who needs to review his oath.

I thank you for taking the time to review this correspondence and its’ attachment I felt compelled to share this with you in an effort to understand this unwarranted assault.

In closing I want to make it clear that as an office holder I will defend my office and its’ staff against such malicious acts.

Furthermore, the Sheriff’s Department works within the framework of the law in concert with the State’s Attorney’s to seek the truth and serve the citizens of this county.

We do not possess an alliance for the benefit of one over the other, to satiate our political desires over the ends of justice, or to wield the State’s Attorney as our personnel “hatchet man”. Should you have any questions concerning this matter do not hesitate to contact me.

Keith Nygren

The letters can be enlarged enough to read them by clicking on them.

During January of the 2004 Republican primary campaign for McHenry County State’s Attorney, Gary Pack’s Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Regna sent out a letter endorsing Pack’s top assistant and his sub-boss Glenn Gable for the office.

Sheriff Keith Nygren felt impelled to write a rebuttal, a copy of which has been obtained by McHenry County Blog. It was FAXed from Nygren’s “MCHENRY CO SHERIFFS” office machine.

It contains some pretty harsh words, which, at minimum, are ironic considering Nygren’s endorsement of Regna late last week.

Although I have added paragraphs to make it easier to read, here’s what it said. (You can read the original, by clicking on the images of the document).

January 29, 2004

On January 28th, 2004 the Deputy Sheriff’s of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department received the attached letter via the U.S. Mail, addressed to them individually utilizing the Sheriff’s Department’s address. The letter is dated January 22nd, 2004, and is signed by Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Regan of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The purposed of my correspondence is to inform those of you (county elected officials) who are the subject of the ASA Regna’s accusations and to insure that members of the Sheriff’s Department are not subjected to a misinformation campaign. It is my intent to defend the integrity of the Office of the Sheriff and all county elected officials at every level.

As you know First Assistant State’s Attorney Glenn Gable is engaging in a political campaign that is seeking the office of the McHenry County State’s Attorney. 0

In an effort to support Glenn Gable, ASA Dan Regna has authored the attached letter that purports to voice his opinion and concerns about the Sheriff’s Department, County Board Members, and other Elected Officials in McHenry County as it relates to the office of the State’s Attorney.

As you read ASA Dan Regna’s letter it is clear that it an instrument to encourage a disruptive environment within the Sheriff’s Department, it assails the integrity of every Elected Official in county government, and brings into question the professional relationship between the State’s Attorney’s Office and those they are obligated to represent.

There are several passages within ASA Dan Regna’s letter that are troubling and are presented in the context of if Glenn Gable is not elected,

“…You will have an Assistant State’s Attorney directly representing the Sheriff’s administration in all employment and labor matters against you individually and collectively.”

As Sheriff, I work tirelessly at building bridges with all of our employees which include their bargaining agents. The aforementioned statement is a divisive, unfounded and an inaccurate remark that is at the very least destructive in nature.

ASA Dan Regna also states,

”The Sheriff’s Administration will have the direct resources of the State’s Attorney’s Office at their beck and call,”

here he has alleged that an inappropriate allocation of resources will be directed by the Sheriff.

It has always been my belief that developing a close and effective professional relationship with our peers is something every elected official should strive for.

ASA Dan Regna further states,

”This should be particularly disturbing to you regarding Lou Bianchi considering his personal friendship and political endorsement by your Sheriff.”

To further illustrate the impropriety of such a relationship, ASA Dan Regna states,

“I personally will not work for any State’s Attorney who does not have political independence from county officials and police administrators.”

Clearly ASA Dan Regna has allowed his political alliance to misrepresent the relationship between the Office of State’s Attorney and all other elected officials in county government.

He has specifically impugned the character of the Office of the Sheriff and all the members of the Sheriff’s Department by his baseless assertions to the extent that it requires a response from me. To fail to address these statements by a representative of our State’s Attorney’s Office would be to lend them credence. I am elected by the people and being part of a political system will always seek out the best candidate to meet the needs of the criminal justice system.

It is unconscionable for a man in Regna’s position to be making statements of this nature in the manner in which he did.

ASA Dan Regna continues by stating,

”Unfortunately, with respect to the Sheriff’s Department, our office does have a legal obligation to hire legal counsel and representation to the Sheriff in all employment and labor matters.”

I submit to you that ASA Dan Regna’s statement is a direct assault on the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department and the oath of office they take to serve the citizens of this county. He attack continues when he states,

”Our office cannot be the personal hatchet man of county officials,”

and

”Expenditures for outside counsel are a direct function of the personnel decisions of your Sheriff, other county department heads, and our county board, not the State’s Attorney.”

The only unfortunate aspect is that ASA Dan Regna has failed to realize that the integrity of any elected official’s office is in direct correlation with the integrity of those who staff it. His dissertation was an emotional, desperate act of an individual who needs to review his oath.

I thank you for taking the time to review this correspondence and its’ attachment I felt compelled to share this with you in an effort to understand this unwarranted assault.

In closing I want to make it clear that as an office holder I will defend my office and its’ staff against such malicious acts.

Furthermore, the Sheriff’s Department works within the framework of the law in concert with the State’s Attorney’s to seek the truth and serve the citizens of this county.

We do not possess an alliance for the benefit of one over the other, to satiate our political desires over the ends of justice, or to wield the State’s Attorney as our personnel “hatchet man”. Should you have any questions concerning this matter do not hesitate to contact me.

Keith Nygren

The letters can be enlarged enough to read them by clicking on them.

It’s hard to believe without seeing it, so I have an image you can enlarge in this article. Just click on it.

But, because it is so hard to read, I’ll type it, too.

The letter head reads,

“Glenn Gable, Republican for State’s Attorney.”

The letter does not have a date, but it says it was “PAID FOR BY CITIZENS TO ELECT GLENN GABLE” at its bottom.

The letter is a pitch for Gable and invites policemen to a reception for his candidate. It is signed by Dan Regna. Under his name is “Campaign Committee.”

Both Gable and Regna were on State’s Attorney Gary Pack’s staff at the time. Such active campaigning would presumably be forbidden under Regna’s recent proposal to Bianchi.

Here’s the text of that 2004 letter:

Dear Friend and Colleague,

Once again the election season is upon us with the primary election scheduled for March 16, 2004! Much is at stead for the greater McHenry County law enforcement community in the Republican primary for State’s Attorney. As you may be aware, long-time State’s Attorney Gary Pak is not seeking re-election. Three candidates are vying for the seat of State’s Attorney in the Republican primary. Of the three candidates, one candidate is a criminal defense lawyer; one candidate is a personal injury lawyer; ad oe candidate is a veteran prosecutor. Who do you want as your next State’s Attorney?

I believe that our current State’s Attorney’s Office is a progressive and innovative prosecutor’s office staffed by highly dedicated individuals. During the past 17years, Glenn has worked to implement numerous programs supporting the efforts of our police officers including the Child Advocacy Center, Bad check Restitution Program, Felony Review program, Communities Against Gangs and the Juvenile Peer Jury Program. Under Glenn’s guidance, our prosecutors have worked closely with our policy agencies to provide the best investigative support and criminal prosecution possible.

The State’s Attorney’s Office is at a crossroad with Gary Pack’s impending departure. We need a highly experienced and qualified individual to assume the duties of State’s Attorney. I am thoroughly familiar with all of the candidates seeking election as State’s Attorney. Without hesitation, I fully endorse and supplort GLENN GABLE as the only EXPERIENCE and QUALIFIED candidate to be our next State’s Attorney.

Glenn’s experience and qualifications are unmatched by his rivals. Glenn has over 13 years experience as a police officer with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, 6 years experience as a soldier in the Army National Guard and 17 years experience as a prosecutor. Glenn knows and understands first-hand the difficulties that police officers face every day! Glenn will always stand and support the cop on the street! Glenn has the experience, vision and wisdom to lead the State’s Attorney’s Office as we continue to provide you with unsurpassed legal support in your crime-fighting efforts.

I ask that you support GLENN GABLE to be our next State’s Attorney! We need YOU to spread the word throughout your communities that Glenn Gable is the law enforcement candidate. I invit you and your guests to attend Glenn Gable’s Cop Party on Sunday, January 25, 2004 to learn more about Glenn Gable’s candidacy.

Best Regards!

DAN REGNA
Campaign Committee.

It sounds to me as if Regna was hoping for advancement in the state’s attorney’s office, if his candidate were elected.

It’s hard to believe without seeing it, so I have an image you can enlarge in this article. Just click on it.

But, because it is so hard to read, I’ll type it, too.

The letter head reads,

“Glenn Gable, Republican for State’s Attorney.”

The letter does not have a date, but it says it was “PAID FOR BY CITIZENS TO ELECT GLENN GABLE” at its bottom.

The letter is a pitch for Gable and invites policemen to a reception for his candidate. It is signed by Dan Regna. Under his name is “Campaign Committee.”

Both Gable and Regna were on State’s Attorney Gary Pack’s staff at the time. Such active campaigning would presumably be forbidden under Regna’s recent proposal to Bianchi.

Here’s the text of that 2004 letter:

Dear Friend and Colleague,

Once again the election season is upon us with the primary election scheduled for March 16, 2004! Much is at stead for the greater McHenry County law enforcement community in the Republican primary for State’s Attorney. As you may be aware, long-time State’s Attorney Gary Pak is not seeking re-election. Three candidates are vying for the seat of State’s Attorney in the Republican primary. Of the three candidates, one candidate is a criminal defense lawyer; one candidate is a personal injury lawyer; ad oe candidate is a veteran prosecutor. Who do you want as your next State’s Attorney?

I believe that our current State’s Attorney’s Office is a progressive and innovative prosecutor’s office staffed by highly dedicated individuals. During the past 17years, Glenn has worked to implement numerous programs supporting the efforts of our police officers including the Child Advocacy Center, Bad check Restitution Program, Felony Review program, Communities Against Gangs and the Juvenile Peer Jury Program. Under Glenn’s guidance, our prosecutors have worked closely with our policy agencies to provide the best investigative support and criminal prosecution possible.

The State’s Attorney’s Office is at a crossroad with Gary Pack’s impending departure. We need a highly experienced and qualified individual to assume the duties of State’s Attorney. I am thoroughly familiar with all of the candidates seeking election as State’s Attorney. Without hesitation, I fully endorse and supplort GLENN GABLE as the only EXPERIENCE and QUALIFIED candidate to be our next State’s Attorney.

Glenn’s experience and qualifications are unmatched by his rivals. Glenn has over 13 years experience as a police officer with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, 6 years experience as a soldier in the Army National Guard and 17 years experience as a prosecutor. Glenn knows and understands first-hand the difficulties that police officers face every day! Glenn will always stand and support the cop on the street! Glenn has the experience, vision and wisdom to lead the State’s Attorney’s Office as we continue to provide you with unsurpassed legal support in your crime-fighting efforts.

I ask that you support GLENN GABLE to be our next State’s Attorney! We need YOU to spread the word throughout your communities that Glenn Gable is the law enforcement candidate. I invit you and your guests to attend Glenn Gable’s Cop Party on Sunday, January 25, 2004 to learn more about Glenn Gable’s candidacy.

Best Regards!

DAN REGNA
Campaign Committee.

It sounds to me as if Regna was hoping for advancement in the state’s attorney’s office, if his candidate were elected.

In a letter sent on August 8th, McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, challenger Daniel Regna “demand(ed)” that two of his staff members who hold significant roles in Bianchi leave the county payroll.

Since this is destined to be a major theme in Regna’s campaign, I’ve decided to re-type it so you can read it.

The letter has the heading “RE: Separation of Politics and Prosecution”

Catchy, wouldn’t you say?

Interesting in view of the 2004 letter that you’ll be able to read tomorrow on McHenry County Blog.

Without so much as a “Dear,” just a ‘Mr. Bianchi,” the letter begins.

On behalf of myself, a Republican candidate for State’s Attorney, and the citizens of McHenry County, I respectfully demand that you separate your political re-election committee apparatus from the Office of State’s Attorney. Specifically, I demand that you either terminate Karen Rhodes, Office Administrator, and Ron Salgado, Chief Investigator, form their employment at the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Or, alternatively, I demand that Karen Rhodes and Ron Salgado resign their positions from your re-election campaign committee. The merging of your political re-election apparatus and the Office of State’s Attorney is a dangerous precedent rife with potential for abuse. I would think that the mere appearance of impropriety would cause you to honor my simple request.

Further, I have enclosed my campaign Pledge to Separate Politics and Prosecution for your consideration. I have forwarded a copy of this pledge to McHenry County Republican Chairman William LeFew and to McHenry County Democratic Chairman Tom Cynor for their review and comment. I request that you immediately and publicly commit to this Pledge of Separation of Politics and Prosecution. I request that Michelle Courier either resign from her position with the State’s Attorney’s Office: or, resign her position on the Boone County Board and withdraw from the Boone County State’s Attorney’s race. Further, I request that Nichole Owens, Ron Salgado and Michael McLeary resign their positions as a Republican Party committeeman. I further request that any other member of your staff immediately resign from any elected board, public commission, active membership in an organized political party or other politically motivated entity.

I cannot emphasize how strongly I am concerned with the dangerous merger of your political re-election apparatus with your governmental office. Ultimately, such a merger of politics and government can only lead to abuses of power and political corruption.

Not only as a matter of fairness in the upcoming political campaign for State’s Attorney, but more importantly, as a matter of compelling public interest in the integrity of the State’s Attorney’s Office, I respectfully demand that you completely separate your political re-election apparatus from your governmental office.

Respectfully,

Daniel J. Regna

Tomorrow the political letter that Regna wrote in support of one of Bianchi’s 2004 GOP primary opponents—Glenn Gable—while Regna worked for the state’s attorney’s office.

In a letter sent on August 8th, McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, challenger Daniel Regna “demand(ed)” that two of his staff members who hold significant roles in Bianchi leave the county payroll.

Since this is destined to be a major theme in Regna’s campaign, I’ve decided to re-type it so you can read it.

The letter has the heading “RE: Separation of Politics and Prosecution”

Catchy, wouldn’t you say?

Interesting in view of the 2004 letter that you’ll be able to read tomorrow on McHenry County Blog.

Without so much as a “Dear,” just a ‘Mr. Bianchi,” the letter begins.

On behalf of myself, a Republican candidate for State’s Attorney, and the citizens of McHenry County, I respectfully demand that you separate your political re-election committee apparatus from the Office of State’s Attorney. Specifically, I demand that you either terminate Karen Rhodes, Office Administrator, and Ron Salgado, Chief Investigator, form their employment at the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Or, alternatively, I demand that Karen Rhodes and Ron Salgado resign their positions from your re-election campaign committee. The merging of your political re-election apparatus and the Office of State’s Attorney is a dangerous precedent rife with potential for abuse. I would think that the mere appearance of impropriety would cause you to honor my simple request.

Further, I have enclosed my campaign Pledge to Separate Politics and Prosecution for your consideration. I have forwarded a copy of this pledge to McHenry County Republican Chairman William LeFew and to McHenry County Democratic Chairman Tom Cynor for their review and comment. I request that you immediately and publicly commit to this Pledge of Separation of Politics and Prosecution. I request that Michelle Courier either resign from her position with the State’s Attorney’s Office: or, resign her position on the Boone County Board and withdraw from the Boone County State’s Attorney’s race. Further, I request that Nichole Owens, Ron Salgado and Michael McLeary resign their positions as a Republican Party committeeman. I further request that any other member of your staff immediately resign from any elected board, public commission, active membership in an organized political party or other politically motivated entity.

I cannot emphasize how strongly I am concerned with the dangerous merger of your political re-election apparatus with your governmental office. Ultimately, such a merger of politics and government can only lead to abuses of power and political corruption.

Not only as a matter of fairness in the upcoming political campaign for State’s Attorney, but more importantly, as a matter of compelling public interest in the integrity of the State’s Attorney’s Office, I respectfully demand that you completely separate your political re-election apparatus from your governmental office.

Respectfully,

Daniel J. Regna

Tomorrow the political letter that Regna wrote in support of one of Bianchi’s 2004 GOP primary opponents—Glenn Gable—while Regna worked for the state’s attorney’s office.