Pay to play alive in DuPage

Recent demands for ethics reform, campaign finance reform and an end to "pay-to-play" politics resulted in legislation passed in Springfield. However, despite criticism by Republicans that the legislation didn't go far enough, they have continued to apply different standards to DuPage County. There have been no changes to county ethics policies, no attempt to address campaign finance reform, and no end to "pay-to-play," all contrary to the promises of DuPage legislators and county board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom.

Examples: The DuPage Election Commission, State's Attorney Joe Birkett and Schillerstrom have a lot in common. The law firm of Bond, Dickson & Associates was paid $176,000 by the county election commission in 2008 for legal fees. Records show that Pat Bond contributes heavily to only Republican officials/candidates, including recent and past contributions to Joe Birkett and Bob Schillerstrom. In the first six months of 2009, he contributed $10,000 to Republicans.

Dan Curry is the spokesperson for the DuPage County Election Commission and receives $36,000 a year. Curry has been paid $22,000 by Birkett in the first half of 2009 as his spokesperson. Curry, through his company Reverse Spin, contributed $1,950 to the Bloomingdale Republican Party, not to any Democrats.

Schillerstrom received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from companies that do business with the county and who have received millions of dollars in contracts. Schillerstrom also appoints the members of the election commission, who hired Bond and Curry.

Bob Saar, executive director of the election commission, was cleared by Birkett of any wrongdoing in having ties with and receiving money from Robis Elections. Bond represents the commission and Saar. Bond contributes to Birkett. Birkett and the election commission hire and pay Curry. What are we missing? And people say this only happens in Cook County.

Paul E. Sjordal

Naperville