44th District foes battle over Duraco contributions to Roth campaign

The 44th District state representative race has heated up this week thanks to incumbent Fred Crespo's allegations over Billie Roth's campaign contributions for past mayoral bids.

Since 2000, Roth, the longtime Streamwood mayor vying to unseat Crespo after his two terms, has received more than $27,000 in campaign contributions from parties tied to Duraco Products Inc., according to the state board of elections. Election Day is Nov. 2.

The owners of Duraco, a shuttered factory off Lake Street in Streamwood, are being sued by 34 former employees who charge that $300,000 in wages was withheld. The factory filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2008 and the courts forced a Chapter 7 liquidation earlier this year. The workers are seeking $200,000 to $500,000 in damages in federal court. Some claim they had no health care insurance coverage, despite having premiums deducted by Duraco officials.

"It's a big issue. I tell you I feel passionate about that because I met some of these folks," said Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat.

Roth in a statement pointed out that the political contributions were made before Duraco's ownership changed hands in 2007, when Kevin Lynch purchased the company. Lynch and his brother, Michael Lynch, are the parties being sued for wage theft in federal court.

Roth distanced herself from the Lynch brothers, their company, and the firm that evicted Duraco after nonpayment of rent.

"Neither Stagg III or U.S. Companies and Plastics or its President Kevin Lynch has ever contributed to my campaigns," Roth said.

Crespo also points out that in 1995 the Streamwood village board, with Roth presiding, approved tax incentives for the factory. The 12-year tax abatement plan helped build an 84,000-square-foot addition to the building. Crespo called accepting the donations while approving the incentives a conflict of interest.

Former Duraco President John Licht contributed more than $7,000 to Roth. Eight parties linked with Duraco made contributions to Roth; all of them were factory executives, according to records.

"Pay to play is a big issue for the state of Illinois; you can't sidestep and take these big donations," Crespo said. "She is the mayor of the town, it's one of the largest employers of the town. You can't have it both ways, you had to know the company was having a difficult time."

Roth in her statement defended the abatement plan and said Crespo didn't "understand the crushing tax burden threat Illinois business are under."

"I have successfully kept job and tax dollars in Streamwood in dozens of cases while maintaining a balanced budget," Roth said. "I am proud to have provided incentives to keep business in our community despite the disastrous anti-business, anti-job climate the Democrats have created in Springfield."