Bianchi denies any rift with local police
Despite several police groups' public support for his primary opponent, McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi disputed claims Wednesday his office has a fractured relationship with county law enforcement officers.
Bianchi, seeking his second term as the county's top lawyer, said he believes most police leaders and rank-and-file officers support his re-election.
Those backing challenger Dan Regna, he said, are doing so because they are friends with the former criminal prosecutor.
"The endorsements are based on friendship," Bianchi said. "The overwhelming majority of police officers who work with us on a day-to-day basis support us."
Regna dismissed Bianchi's claims that friendship is trumping qualifications with his police supporters.
"It's not coming from friendship. It's coming from my hard work, professionalism and being in the trenches with them," Regna said.
Bianchi and Regna addressed the endorsements Wednesday during a two-hour meeting with the Daily Herald editorial board.
Both men are seeking the Republican nomination in the party's Feb. 5 primary.
Regna, a former assistant state's attorney under Bianchi predecessor Gary Pack, has touted his endorsement by five local police organizations as a sign of dissatisfaction with the current administration.
"The police and prosecutor's office are separate entities, but they have to have a full partnership," Regna said. "If they're not working together as a team, there's going to be failure."
The endorsements -- from police groups in Lake in the Hills, Cary, Crystal Lake, Woodstock and Harvard -- laud Regna's previous work as a prosecutor and, in some cases, criticize Bianchi's administration.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the McHenry County Chiefs of Police issued a statement earlier Wednesday saying they have not -- and will not -- publicly support any candidate.
Bianchi previously has stated that he believes most police chiefs are backing him.
He maintained that stance Wednesday, noting that many mayors and village presidents are backing his re-election.
"I can't imagine they would be giving me their endorsement if their police chiefs were unhappy with the good service my office is providing," he said.
One key law enforcement figure who appears to be staying out of the fray is Sheriff Keith Nygren.
Nygren, who last year appeared to be backing Bianchi, recently said he is staying neutral. He has, however, appeared at events for both candidates and donated to both campaigns.