Candidates trade accusations on corruption, CN support

Democratic Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes says his state Senate opponent is spreading falsehoods about his wife's connection to a village real estate deal.

But the Republican foe, Dan Duffy, contends Gentes' campaign is misrepresenting his position to make it look like he favors a Canadian National Railroad plan to run more freight trains through state Senate District 26.

Gentes and Duffy are battling for the 26th District seat being vacated by retiring veteran Republican William Peterson of Long Grove. The 26th District spans from Libertyville Township in Lake County west to McHenry, Dorr and Nunda townships in McHenry County, and part of Palatine Township in Cook County.

In a Daily Herald editorial board interview Monday, Gentes blasted the latest Duffy mailer paid for by the Illinois Republican Party as a "misleading attack."

Gentes is accused of paving the way for New Century Real Estate to handle Round Lake's $5.5 million purchase of 57 acres at Wilson Road and Route 120 about two years ago. The village-owned land was supposed to be sold to Advocate Health Care for a hospital, but instead was recently purchased by a developer.

Christine Gentes, the mayor's wife, is a licensed real estate agent who works for Round Lake Beach-based New Century as an independent contractor. Tom Yingling, broker/owner of New Century, said Christine Gentes never received a financial reward for the $5.5 million Round Lake deal.

"It's easy to make accusations," Yingling said.

Duffy said he stands by the mailer about Gentes. He also said the Gentes campaign has inaccurately portrayed him as supporting Canadian National's plan to run more freight trains through parts of District 26.

"I'm against Canadian National," Duffy said.

Gentes said he's just noting Duffy's campaign received $2,500 from BNSF Railway Co. Duffy countered that BNSF doesn't have anything to do with CN.