Former Daley operatives helping suburban hopefuls

Mayoral candidates in Bensenville and Des Plaines are getting help from former political operatives for Mayor Richard Daley.

Some suburban leaders say the former Daley campaign coordinators have injected themselves into suburban politics because they want to ensure the election of leaders friendly to the city's $15 billion plan to expand O'Hare International Airport.

Republican state Rep. Rosemary Mulligan of Des Plaines points to the involvement of former Daley political operatives Thomas Manion and Diana Paluch in the campaigns for Bensenville mayoral challenger Frank Soto and Des Plaines mayoral candidate Marty Moylan.

Moylan also is getting campaign help from Daley campaign ward coordinator Rich Pope.

But Daley spokeswoman Jacquelyn Heard said the mayor has no dog in these suburban political fights.