Durante casino deal should be detailed

The Daily Herald has published numerous letters from Pat Durante, chairman of the Addison Township Republican Party and Vice-Chairman of the DuPage Republican Party, attacking my character and credibility. Durante's attacks were diversionary tactics designed to avoid answering the questions and issues I raised regarding the misuse of tax dollars in Addison Township, most notably at the food pantry and the $58,000 salary of Mrs. Durante.

In light of Mr. Durante's published attacks on me, it is only fair (and balanced) that the Daily Herald's readers learn about Mr. Durante's interest in a casino scheme that would have netted him and his business associate, now an Itasca attorney who bills Addison Township thousands of dollars for legal work, nearly $20 million. To put matters in perspective, remember: My entire campaign cost $3,185 and Mr. Durante could have pocketed nearly $10 million.

The Daily Herald's own archives of March 29 and April 3, 1995 detail some of the many issues related to Mr. Durante's insider deal. Other major newspapers also reported on this matter. You can read these articles at the Web site of the Democratic Party of DuPage County.

Those newspaper articles report that Mr. Durante gave thousands of dollars to legislators and then asked the casino company that he represented, Primadonna Resorts of Nevada, for reimbursement. Had the state legislature approved the deal, Durante could have become a millionaire. Such reimbursements are violations of Illinois law and Durante had to ask the legislators to return the money. And some people think this only happens in Chicago.

Perhaps this is why Mr. Durante has not attempted to run himself for public office, choosing instead to hide behind rocks and throw stones at others.

Bob Peickert

chairman, Democratic Party of DuPage County, Lombard