McHenry County Blog

“Been there, seen that”

was my reaction when I read former campaign manager Kieth Liscio’s press release about suing his former employer, 8th District GOP candidate Joe Walsh.

Back in 1982 when I unsuccessfully ran for Congress against incumbent U.S. Representative Robert McClory I was similarly sued. ( I carried McHenry County; McClory won the larger Lake and Kane Counties.)

Ray Pempek was my campaign manager. Funny guy. He’d hold my 24-toed gray cat Bijou up by his front legs, saying, “Dancing Cat.” (Keely Cat would not stand for that.)

He sued me claiming he had not been paid what his contract stipulated.

He hadn’t.

His attorney put him on the stand before Judge Michael J. Sullivan, where he laid out his case.

Upon cross examination, Pempek was asked if he performed the duties outlined in the contract, e.g., preparing the daily schedule, writing press releases, stuff like that.

Apparently he answered in the negative too many times because, when my attorney asked for a directed verdict, the judge granted it.

In a directed verdict, one side of the case says the other side has not proved its case well enough to merit putting on the other side.

This was the second such suit I’ve been involved in. When I won the 1966 Republican primary for McHenry County Treasurer by 72 votes out of almost 12,000 cast with a spread of 277 votes among the candidates, the second-place finisher sued for a recount. My attorney, Stan Narusis and I sat in the old second floor courtroom of the Woodstock Square Courthouse listening to the evidence. (Actually, we had more evidence of strange occurrences than the opposition, having had poll watchers in polling places where the judges had never seen them before.)

After the opposing counsel had completed his presentation–presenting absolutely no evidence, just argument–to Lake County Judge Glenn Seidenfeld, I leaned over to Stan and said, “He didn’t present any evidence. Why don’t we move to dismiss?’

Stan did and Judge Seidenfeld, who died at age 94 in 2008, dismissed the case. Maybe the then-Establishment thought I was so young and naive that I would agree to a recount once sued.

Yeah, right.

In any event, below is Lisco’s press release. Below it is Walsh’s response.

JOE WALSH SUED BY FORMER CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Suit Alleges 8th District Candidate Owes Former Friend $20,000

Morton Grove, IL — Today, Keith Liscio, former campaign manager for 8th Congressional District candidate Joe Walsh, sued the Walsh campaign for non-payment of $20,000 in campaign management services.  The suit was brought by Mr. Liscio in conjunction with his firm Patrickson-Hirsch Associates in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Municipal Department, Second District.

The suit alleges that Mr. Walsh hired Liscio to perform campaign management services in August of 2009, repeatedly paid for those services late, and eventually stopped paying altogether.  When the total amount owed exceeded $20,000 in December of last year, Mr. Liscio left the campaign.  Despite repeated attempts to resolve the matter and collect the debt, the Walsh campaign has refused to pay.

According to Mr. Liscio, “It is with deep regret and sadness that I take this action today.  I’ve tried to work out a payment plan with Joe both before and after my departure from the campaign and fully expected him to live up to his commitments to me and my family.  I’ve known Joe Walsh for over 14 years and am very disappointed that he has failed to meet this obligation.  I’m only bringing suit now as a last resort – he just refused to make a sincere effort to ensure payment of what was owed to me despite spending tens of thousands of dollars on other campaign expenditures.”

Liscio and Walsh met in 1995 when Walsh first ran for Congress in the 9th Congressional District against Sidney Yates.  Liscio volunteered for the campaign and eventually rose to the position of Communications Director where he brought Walsh’s campaign to national prominence.  When Walsh was weighing running in the 8th vs. the 10th District last year, he again sought Liscio’s advice and eventually hired him to run the campaign.  Liscio developed the campaign strategy which positioned Mr. Walsh as a “Tea Party” candidate, hired staff, and was in charge of executing the campaign plan prior to his departure.

To see a copy of the complaint filed with the court, contact Mr. Liscio at (847) 772-0525.

Here is 8th congressional district Joe Walsh’s response:

Regarding the suit, I’m saddened and surprised. Here’s the story and it’s not much of a story: I have a dispute with an ex campaign consultant over the performance of his work, we’ve been negotiating for over a month trying to come to a settlement, it appears he’s filed suit today.

This type of thing, as you know, goes on often in campaigns. I think it’s really regrettable that he decided to file suit a week and a half before the election and then reach out to the media to try and gin up a story. Seems like he’s trying to impact the election which just doesn’t seem right.

It’s an inside baseball story. We’re buliding a grassroots movement to take back this district and as of now, it appears we’re in the lead. Was hoping to settle something with Mr. Liscio, but as of now, its strictly a legal matter.

I’m focused on winning this campaign.

State Senator Adeline Geo-Karis and I were elected to the Illinois House the same year—1972. She died this week.

I first became aware of Geo-Karis at a 12th Congressional District Women’s Club that she chaired after losing the 1962 Republican congressional election to State Senator Bob McClory.

My mother attended its meetings and took me along one time. McClory was McHenry County’s congressman and the man whom I unsuccessfully challenged in 1980.

When picking our seats in the Illinois House, I got almost last choice. They were assigned alphabetically, still an accepted form of discrimination.

I decided to sit right down front. Right in front of the clerk’s podium. I had supported Bob Blair for re-election as Speaker, much to his surprise. (He had fired me as an appropriations staffer when he first won the office in December of 1970, two weeks after I had been hired.)

I figured if we had a falling out he would have a hard time ignoring me.

Adeline Geo-Karis sat right behind me on the aisle.

It was an interesting experience.

“Vote Yes, Cal! Vote Yes!”

“Why Adeline?” replied the guy with a red light on.

“Vote Yes, Cal! Vote Yes!”

People were explaining their votes, stalling for time, trying to find enough votes to pass the bill. That practice is no longer allowed.

“Vote Yes, Cal! Vote Yes!”

“Tell me why, Adeline. I still have time to change my vote.”

Geo was more than willing to tell me how to vote, but rarely was she willing to tell me why.

But she never figured out that exhortation was not the way to get me to change my vote.

After I left the House to run against McClory (I carried McHenry County; he got Lake and Kane, the two larger counties) and got divorced, whenever I saw her, Geo never failed to ask if I had seen my little girl.

That’s the kind of person she was.

She knew what mattered most to you and, with that bond, re-established her relationship with everyone she knew.

I last saw her in Fox Lake at the Grant Township Republican Lincoln Day Dinner in 2006. That’s the one when Judy Baar Topinka, another excellent person-to-person campaigner, kissed me twice.

She was sitting down. Her walking the entire length of every parade days were over.

I wished her luck.

It is just incredible how Lake County Republicans treated her.

She lived for the office.

They should have let her decide when to leave it, even if it were going down to election defeat to a Democrat.

But, Republicans don’t have a good record of treating fellow Republicans compassionately, do they?

She was such a good egg, not to mention a grand lady.

Her funeral will be at 10 AM Saturday at Illinois State Beach Park, which is named for her. Visitation is from 4-9 PM Friday at the same location and from 9-10 AM Saturday before the funeral.

= = = = =
The pictures are from 1974, Geo’s and my first terms in the General Assembly. It’s from this article, which tries to identify other legislators. You can see State Rep. Adeline Geo-Karis on the lower right hand corner of the top two photos. She is in the middle of the bottom photo. A much thinner me is walking in front of her. The head shot is from the Illinois General Assembly web site. You can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.

State Senator Adeline Geo-Karis and I were elected to the Illinois House the same year—1972. She died this week.

I first became aware of Geo-Karis at a 12th Congressional District Women’s Club that she chaired after losing the 1962 Republican congressional election to State Senator Bob McClory.

My mother attended its meetings and took me along one time. McClory was McHenry County’s congressman and the man whom I unsuccessfully challenged in 1980.

When picking our seats in the Illinois House, I got almost last choice. They were assigned alphabetically, still an accepted form of discrimination.

I decided to sit right down front. Right in front of the clerk’s podium. I had supported Bob Blair for re-election as Speaker, much to his surprise. (He had fired me as an appropriations staffer when he first won the office in December of 1970, two weeks after I had been hired.)

I figured if we had a falling out he would have a hard time ignoring me.

Adeline Geo-Karis sat right behind me on the aisle.

It was an interesting experience.

“Vote Yes, Cal! Vote Yes!”

“Why Adeline?” replied the guy with a red light on.

“Vote Yes, Cal! Vote Yes!”

People were explaining their votes, stalling for time, trying to find enough votes to pass the bill. That practice is no longer allowed.

“Vote Yes, Cal! Vote Yes!”

“Tell me why, Adeline. I still have time to change my vote.”

Geo was more than willing to tell me how to vote, but rarely was she willing to tell me why.

But she never figured out that exhortation was not the way to get me to change my vote.

After I left the House to run against McClory (I carried McHenry County; he got Lake and Kane, the two larger counties) and got divorced, whenever I saw her, Geo never failed to ask if I had seen my little girl.

That’s the kind of person she was.

She knew what mattered most to you and, with that bond, re-established her relationship with everyone she knew.

I last saw her in Fox Lake at the Grant Township Republican Lincoln Day Dinner in 2006. That’s the one when Judy Baar Topinka, another excellent person-to-person campaigner, kissed me twice.

She was sitting down. Her walking the entire length of every parade days were over.

I wished her luck.

It is just incredible how Lake County Republicans treated her.

She lived for the office.

They should have let her decide when to leave it, even if it were going down to election defeat to a Democrat.

But, Republicans don’t have a good record of treating fellow Republicans compassionately, do they?

She was such a good egg, not to mention a grand lady.

Her funeral will be at 10 AM Saturday at Illinois State Beach Park, which is named for her. Visitation is from 4-9 PM Friday at the same location and from 9-10 AM Saturday before the funeral.

= = = = =
The pictures are from 1974, Geo’s and my first terms in the General Assembly. It’s from this article, which tries to identify other legislators. You can see State Rep. Adeline Geo-Karis on the lower right hand corner of the top two photos. She is in the middle of the bottom photo. A much thinner me is walking in front of her. The head shot is from the Illinois General Assembly web site. You can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.

This past week 8th congressional district Congresswoman Melissa Bean got endorsed in her Democratic Party primary over peace candidate challenger Randi Scheurer.

In the Republican Party primary, benefits consultant Ken Arnold got the nod over his two opponents, Steve Greenberg and Kirk Morris.

Only one paragraph was dedicated to each endorsement, which was included with a bunch of other congressional endorsements.

There is a characteriture of Bean sitting at the back of the wagon. I have reproduced it large enough for you to see.

“8th: Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean, who describes herself as ‘moderate mainstream’ and a ‘fiscal conservative’ was first elected to congress in 2004. She authored and led passage of an Internet education safety program and co-sponsored initiatives to track sex offenders online. Bean, who has worked issues across the aisle, including transportation funding, is endorsed over Randi Scheurer, whose husband Bill Scheurer, ran against Bean as an independent.

“Vying in the Republican primary are businessmen Steve Greenberg, Kenneth Arnold and Kirk Morris. Notably, Morris’ son, a Marine, was killed in Iraq. Arnold is strong on policy, while Greenberg has greater financial backing. Arnold is endorsed over Greenberg, because brains should matter more than bucks.”

I would note that Bill Scheurer did not run as an independent. He created his own party, which he named the Moderate Party. I would also note that the editorial does not point out that both Scheurers ran to protest Bean’s position on the Iraq War.

So, what difference does the Sun-Times endorsement make?

I got it in 1980 when I ran against incumbent Robert C. McClory, but still lost the primary election, carrying only McHenry of the three county district that looking like a crane.

And, they endorsed me in spite of my opposition to gun control, as they did Lynn Martin.

For those interested in history, here was the endorsement:
OFFICE: U.S. House. Term, 2 years
Salary, $60,662.50

13th DIST. Republicans Robert McClory, Cal Skinner, Jr. Democrats
Edward J. LaFlamme, Michael Reese

Despite a sharp tongue that can wound needlessly and obtuseness on some public transit maters, state Rep. Cal Skinner Jr. has served Illinois well on such complex matters as school taxes and urban sprawl—and as an idea-generator.

Incumbent Rep. Robert McClory’s stewardship of his office has been amiable but increasingly listless. And his recent vote for pork-barrel water projects belies his claimed opposition to wasteful spending.

Skinner favors innovative use of alcohol to increase fuel supplies and practical deregulation of various industries as an anti-inflation measure. Both men agree on such key issues as the need to promote savings and investment, but we think Skinner offers more intelligent, vigorous representation.

That was the year I was driving a Pinto that used 85% alcohol and 15% water.

That is not a typo.

Elgin’s Herb Hanson and an Elgin policeman, whose name escapes me right now, invented it. It smelled like a still going down the street. This same time, GM and Ford were producing all-alcohol fueled cars in Brazil, but refused to do so in the United States.

It only broke down once…just east on Route 120 of where the highway turns south in Greenwood Township. Fortunately, the very surprised farm family living on the northwest corner or Route 120 on Charles Road took pity and let me call Gravers in Woodstock to tow it in and give me a ride back to 360 S. Madison Street, Woodstock.

Lynn Martin got endorsed to fill John B. Anderson’s seat in the same editorial. She won.

And, no.

My filing system is not good enough that I could have found this if I were looking for it. I was looking for a small black-on-yellow “Write-In Vance Roberts” sign that we used when he ran for the Crystal Lake city council.

Instead, I found this bad copy of a February 29, 1980 Sun-Times editorial, plus a Re-Elect Bob McClory yard sign.

Click on the editorials and you should be able to read them. The other images can also be enlarged the same way.

This past week 8th congressional district Congresswoman Melissa Bean got endorsed in her Democratic Party primary over peace candidate challenger Randi Scheurer.

In the Republican Party primary, benefits consultant Ken Arnold got the nod over his two opponents, Steve Greenberg and Kirk Morris.

Only one paragraph was dedicated to each endorsement, which was included with a bunch of other congressional endorsements.

There is a characteriture of Bean sitting at the back of the wagon. I have reproduced it large enough for you to see.

“8th: Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean, who describes herself as ‘moderate mainstream’ and a ‘fiscal conservative’ was first elected to congress in 2004. She authored and led passage of an Internet education safety program and co-sponsored initiatives to track sex offenders online. Bean, who has worked issues across the aisle, including transportation funding, is endorsed over Randi Scheurer, whose husband Bill Scheurer, ran against Bean as an independent.

“Vying in the Republican primary are businessmen Steve Greenberg, Kenneth Arnold and Kirk Morris. Notably, Morris’ son, a Marine, was killed in Iraq. Arnold is strong on policy, while Greenberg has greater financial backing. Arnold is endorsed over Greenberg, because brains should matter more than bucks.”

I would note that Bill Scheurer did not run as an independent. He created his own party, which he named the Moderate Party. I would also note that the editorial does not point out that both Scheurers ran to protest Bean’s position on the Iraq War.

So, what difference does the Sun-Times endorsement make?

I got it in 1980 when I ran against incumbent Robert C. McClory, but still lost the primary election, carrying only McHenry of the three county district that looking like a crane.

And, they endorsed me in spite of my opposition to gun control, as they did Lynn Martin.

For those interested in history, here was the endorsement:
OFFICE: U.S. House. Term, 2 years
Salary, $60,662.50

13th DIST. Republicans Robert McClory, Cal Skinner, Jr. Democrats
Edward J. LaFlamme, Michael Reese

Despite a sharp tongue that can wound needlessly and obtuseness on some public transit maters, state Rep. Cal Skinner Jr. has served Illinois well on such complex matters as school taxes and urban sprawl—and as an idea-generator.

Incumbent Rep. Robert McClory’s stewardship of his office has been amiable but increasingly listless. And his recent vote for pork-barrel water projects belies his claimed opposition to wasteful spending.

Skinner favors innovative use of alcohol to increase fuel supplies and practical deregulation of various industries as an anti-inflation measure. Both men agree on such key issues as the need to promote savings and investment, but we think Skinner offers more intelligent, vigorous representation.

That was the year I was driving a Pinto that used 85% alcohol and 15% water.

That is not a typo.

Elgin’s Herb Hanson and an Elgin policeman, whose name escapes me right now, invented it. It smelled like a still going down the street. This same time, GM and Ford were producing all-alcohol fueled cars in Brazil, but refused to do so in the United States.

It only broke down once…just east on Route 120 of where the highway turns south in Greenwood Township. Fortunately, the very surprised farm family living on the northwest corner or Route 120 on Charles Road took pity and let me call Gravers in Woodstock to tow it in and give me a ride back to 360 S. Madison Street, Woodstock.

Lynn Martin got endorsed to fill John B. Anderson’s seat in the same editorial. She won.

And, no.

My filing system is not good enough that I could have found this if I were looking for it. I was looking for a small black-on-yellow “Write-In Vance Roberts” sign that we used when he ran for the Crystal Lake city council.

Instead, I found this bad copy of a February 29, 1980 Sun-Times editorial, plus a Re-Elect Bob McClory yard sign.

Click on the editorials and you should be able to read them. The other images can also be enlarged the same way.

And, it wasn’t one-term Democratic Party Congressman John Cox of Galena.

John B. Anderson, who used to represent the northern and western part of McHenry County, has endorsed Barack Obama for President.

The last time I saw the congressman in 1980. He was coming out of Waukegan’s WKRS radio station as I was going in for an interview. I was running against his colleague Congressman Robert C. McClory.

He was running for president as an independent.

I’m sure he wondered why this state representative was running against his friend, Bob McClory.

Of course, Anderson had about as much chance of winning the presidency as I had getting elected to congress against an entrenched incumbent (although I did carry McHenry County).

In 1978, Anderson was challenged unsuccessfully by conservative Don Lyon, a minister with a large church from Rockford. Lyon is still active in the political arena.

I doubt that was the year, but Anderson came out in favor of a 50 cent per gallon tax on gasoline. When he did, I figured he wasn’t going to run for congress again. After all, people drive places in a district that runs from McHenry County and points west.

And I figured the federal government would just spend whatever money was collected.

Anderson won that congressional primary election by concentrating on turning out the vote in eight Republican wards in Rockford. The vote was 43,055 for Anderson and 31,266 for Lyon.

In McHenry County, however, the vote was 1,902 for Lyon and 1,802. He sent out an anti-RTA bumper sticker to all Republican households. The RTA referendum was in 1974 and resentment was still running high.

That’s basically the area that Democratic Party State Representative Jack Franks represents now.

And, it wasn’t one-term Democratic Party Congressman John Cox of Galena.

John B. Anderson, who used to represent the northern and western part of McHenry County, has endorsed Barack Obama for President.

The last time I saw the congressman in 1980. He was coming out of Waukegan’s WKRS radio station as I was going in for an interview. I was running against his colleague Congressman Robert C. McClory.

He was running for president as an independent.

I’m sure he wondered why this state representative was running against his friend, Bob McClory.

Of course, Anderson had about as much chance of winning the presidency as I had getting elected to congress against an entrenched incumbent (although I did carry McHenry County).

In 1978, Anderson was challenged unsuccessfully by conservative Don Lyon, a minister with a large church from Rockford. Lyon is still active in the political arena.

I doubt that was the year, but Anderson came out in favor of a 50 cent per gallon tax on gasoline. When he did, I figured he wasn’t going to run for congress again. After all, people drive places in a district that runs from McHenry County and points west.

And I figured the federal government would just spend whatever money was collected.

Anderson won that congressional primary election by concentrating on turning out the vote in eight Republican wards in Rockford. The vote was 43,055 for Anderson and 31,266 for Lyon.

In McHenry County, however, the vote was 1,902 for Lyon and 1,802. He sent out an anti-RTA bumper sticker to all Republican households. The RTA referendum was in 1974 and resentment was still running high.

That’s basically the area that Democratic Party State Representative Jack Franks represents now.

Fast forward (I know for a story in its fifth daily installment, that must sound funny) to 1982. I had always wondered how high an office one could run for without selling one’s soul.

Jim Thompson couldn’t find anyone to run for State Comptroller against Roland Burris. He asked me to run.

I figure, why not?

Test the hypothesis that state senate is the highest office that one can run for without selling one’s soul.

My wife, who was Robin Meridith Geist before we got married, had been Thompson’s photographer when I met her during his first campaign.

I had lost a Republican primary election for Congress in 1980 to incumbent Robert McClory, but still had high name identification statewide (a survey said it was 56% in 1980) from the 1974 fight against the Regional Transportation Authority.

I had announced for state representative in a district that went from our home in Woodstock to Rockford. It had no incumbent and I had represented most of the area for 8 years.

It looked like it had been drawn for me, although Mike Madigan had tried his best of put me in with Dick Klemm; he just didn’t know we had moved from Lily Pond Road to 360 S. Madison Street in Woodstock when he did the reapportionment.

Then, Governor Thompson called. I told him I didn’t have any money. He told me he would get supporters to ante up $50,000 and a car dealer would donate a car. (The Route 41 car dealer was a member of the Tollway board.)

I agreed without asking my wife, something that turned out to be a big mistake.

The contest (I couldn’t call it a “race”) was over as soon as WCIA-TV in Bloomington came out with its first poll. I had this whole campaign laid out to identify “Waste Watchers” throughout Illinois, but, from then on the media was not interested in ideas; just the horse race part of the campaign, where I was too far behind to catch up.

Finally, to the story I’ve been leading up to for 1,600 words.

Burris and I were in Champaign or Urbana, I think, at a debate sponsored by the Illinois Press Association.

One of the three panelists was the son of the family after whom Behan Road east of Crystal Lake on Route 176 was named. I met newspaper publisher Paul Behan in 1974 at a candidates’ night in Belvidere when he ran for state representative in the district west of mine. We talked about the road that now goes to the McHenry County Conservation District’s nature center. That was a good sign, I figured.

In any event, Burris went on the attack and said that I had been “convicted of practicing law without a license.”

My reply must have been considered pretty devastating. I pointed out that then State Comptroller Burris was a lawyer (actually, a future Illinois Attorney General) and should be expected to know the difference between a civil and criminal case.

Later, newspaper publisher and future State Representative Craig Finley told me I won the debate.

The McHenry County Bar Association had sued me in civil court. I had not been indicted by the McHenry County State’s Attorney.

But, apparently Burris did not know the difference.

Naturally, I lost that 1982 election, but Burris’ not knowing the difference between a civil suit and a criminal case came back to me when Huntley School Board President Shawn Green told Daily Herald reporter Jameel Naqvi last Thursday:

“Green said the district may be able to recover some of the $100,000 — depending on the outcome of the state’s attorney’s investigation.

“’I don’t want it to ruin our chances for getting back any money we may be owed,’ Green said.”

Apparently, Green was not paying attention when O.J. Simpson won his criminal case, but lost the civil case filed by the victim’s family.

It’s not like the early 1950’s song, “Love and Marriage.”

The Huntley School District can have one without the other.

The burden of evidence is less in a civil suit than in a criminal case.

Who knows?

If Huntley School District 158 Board went after those past and current employees who received fringe benefits that they did not obtain with a public vote of the board, it might pay for the forensic audit.

It might also convince district employees that the board will not stand for similar practices in the future.

But that might require current board members to admit they did something wrong, so don’t make out the deposit slips for the reimbursements yet.

Fast forward (I know for a story in its fifth daily installment, that must sound funny) to 1982. I had always wondered how high an office one could run for without selling one’s soul.

Jim Thompson couldn’t find anyone to run for State Comptroller against Roland Burris. He asked me to run.

I figure, why not?

Test the hypothesis that state senate is the highest office that one can run for without selling one’s soul.

My wife, who was Robin Meridith Geist before we got married, had been Thompson’s photographer when I met her during his first campaign.

I had lost a Republican primary election for Congress in 1980 to incumbent Robert McClory, but still had high name identification statewide (a survey said it was 56% in 1980) from the 1974 fight against the Regional Transportation Authority.

I had announced for state representative in a district that went from our home in Woodstock to Rockford. It had no incumbent and I had represented most of the area for 8 years.

It looked like it had been drawn for me, although Mike Madigan had tried his best of put me in with Dick Klemm; he just didn’t know we had moved from Lily Pond Road to 360 S. Madison Street in Woodstock when he did the reapportionment.

Then, Governor Thompson called. I told him I didn’t have any money. He told me he would get supporters to ante up $50,000 and a car dealer would donate a car. (The Route 41 car dealer was a member of the Tollway board.)

I agreed without asking my wife, something that turned out to be a big mistake.

The contest (I couldn’t call it a “race”) was over as soon as WCIA-TV in Bloomington came out with its first poll. I had this whole campaign laid out to identify “Waste Watchers” throughout Illinois, but, from then on the media was not interested in ideas; just the horse race part of the campaign, where I was too far behind to catch up.

Finally, to the story I’ve been leading up to for 1,600 words.

Burris and I were in Champaign or Urbana, I think, at a debate sponsored by the Illinois Press Association.

One of the three panelists was the son of the family after whom Behan Road east of Crystal Lake on Route 176 was named. I met newspaper publisher Paul Behan in 1974 at a candidates’ night in Belvidere when he ran for state representative in the district west of mine. We talked about the road that now goes to the McHenry County Conservation District’s nature center. That was a good sign, I figured.

In any event, Burris went on the attack and said that I had been “convicted of practicing law without a license.”

My reply must have been considered pretty devastating. I pointed out that then State Comptroller Burris was a lawyer (actually, a future Illinois Attorney General) and should be expected to know the difference between a civil and criminal case.

Later, newspaper publisher and future State Representative Craig Finley told me I won the debate.

The McHenry County Bar Association had sued me in civil court. I had not been indicted by the McHenry County State’s Attorney.

But, apparently Burris did not know the difference.

Naturally, I lost that 1982 election, but Burris’ not knowing the difference between a civil suit and a criminal case came back to me when Huntley School Board President Shawn Green told Daily Herald reporter Jameel Naqvi last Thursday:

“Green said the district may be able to recover some of the $100,000 — depending on the outcome of the state’s attorney’s investigation.

“’I don’t want it to ruin our chances for getting back any money we may be owed,’ Green said.”

Apparently, Green was not paying attention when O.J. Simpson won his criminal case, but lost the civil case filed by the victim’s family.

It’s not like the early 1950’s song, “Love and Marriage.”

The Huntley School District can have one without the other.

The burden of evidence is less in a civil suit than in a criminal case.

Who knows?

If Huntley School District 158 Board went after those past and current employees who received fringe benefits that they did not obtain with a public vote of the board, it might pay for the forensic audit.

It might also convince district employees that the board will not stand for similar practices in the future.

But that might require current board members to admit they did something wrong, so don’t make out the deposit slips for the reimbursements yet.