Lester: Cullerton attacks opponent for extra exemption he also got
Democratic state Sen. Tom Cullerton of Villa Park is criticizing his opponent for taking an extra property tax exemption. But records show Cullerton's own tax bill contained the same error.
Seth Lewis "improperly took tax exemptions meant for seniors," says the television ad, released late last month. Lewis, a Bartlett Republican, is "looking out for himself," the ad continues, noting Cullerton "respects taxpayers."
<h3 class="leadin">Countywide glitch
A little digging reveals both men were recorded as improperly taking extra senior exemptions on their 2007 tax bills, but it was an error by the company that printed the tax bills, reports the DuPage County treasurer's office.
Lewis purchased his Bartlett home in November 2005. The 2005 property bill showed a senior exemption because the previous owner was a senior citizen. By the 2006 bill, the exemption had been removed.
On the 2007 bill (which was mailed out in 2008), Lewis' property had no homestead exemption but carries a $5,000 senior exemption. By the 2008 bill and in all subsequent years, the only exemption that appeared is Lewis' homestead exemption.
Cullerton had the same glitch on his 2007 property tax bill, with the homestead exemption improperly appearing in the senior exemption box. Still, Brendan O'Sullivan, a spokesman for Cullerton, says the campaign "stands by the ad."
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Mr. Eisenhammer goes to Washington
Members of Arlington Heights law firm Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn say they felt like it was their Super Bowl this week as partner Stanley Eisenhammer argued for the first time before the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Eisenhammer, a former Northwest Suburban High School District 214 board member and longtime Arlington Heights resident, represented client Elijah Manuel, who sued the city of Joliet in a police misconduct case. Manuel says police officers lied and wrongly accused him of possessing the illegal drug Ecstasy with the intent to distribute, then held him for weeks until the pills were found to be vitamins. At issue is whether he can sue Joliet. Colleagues say Eisenhammer spent months preparing for his day in the nation's highest court.
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Remembering Coach Kipp
Maine West High School in Des Plaines has begun accepting donations to create scholarships and a memorial in honor of girls basketball coach and teacher Derril Kipp, who died in July. A school memo notes that while details are still coming together, the scholarships are intended to be given starting during the 2017-18 school year and continue until the scholarship fund is depleted. Kipp, of Palatine, died of pancreatic cancer at age 71. He was the fifth-winningest girls basketball coach in state history. To donate, call (847) 827-6176.
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95 and going strong
Arlington International Racecourse Chairman Dick Duchossois turns 95 this Friday, for the second time in a month. Yep, you read that right. I learned in my time reporting on him that the Barrington Hills business tycoon celebrates two birthdays - his real one Oct. 7 and another in September, when he survived being shot in his side while crossing the Moselle River and "left for dead" during World War II.
<h3 class="leadin">Ad work
Cubs play-by-play announcer Len Kasper of Glencoe tells me Express used one of his home run calls for a men's clothing commercial featuring Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant as a "Legend in the Making."
"I didn't have to do anything!" says Kasper, who was paid royalties. This week, he tells me, the clothing company is shooting a new commercial and he's been asked to do a voiceover again. Watch it at youtube.com/watch?v=twPg-gKIcA8.
Today's snap
Sick of the election mudslinging going on at both the national and local level? This yard sign on the front lawn on the 600 block of Campbell Street in Arlington Heights presents an alternative ticket - Cubs all-stars Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. "Bryant Rizzo '16: Make Chicago Great Again!" the sign reads.