Challenger calls on rival to return taxpayer money

Personal finances are continuing to play a role in the war of words between the candidates in the 56th District state House race.

Republican challenger Anita Forte-Scott is calling on Democratic incumbent Paul Froehlich to return $6,500 he received to chair the House's Disparities in Educational Achievement Special Committee, which she said has met only twice and accomplished nothing.

"He should give back the (money) for doing no work," Forte-Scott said.

Froehlich replied that his pay for chairing the committee is automatic, and that he's already donated his cost-of-living increase to charity.

"Some committees are active and have a lot of bills assigned to them," Froehlich said. "We can't always control that. But I'm more active than most of my colleagues in legislative issues, so she can't say I'm not doing any work. I'm a full-timer. I will not be running a business simultaneously with serving my constituents."

While his legislative committee has met only twice, Froehlich said he continues to serve as secretary of a separate panel called Better Funding for Better Schools which meets monthly and also addresses the issue of disparity in education outcomes.

"This is an ongoing concern of mine, not just a passing fancy," Froehlich said.

Forte-Scott vowed she would never take taxpayer money for doing no work. She said she'd find work for a committee to do rather than wait idly for an assignment.

The 56th District includes Schaumburg and portions of Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Hanover Park, Roselle and Bloomingdale.