Crespo worker questions Roth on use of village-issued car

The voice off camera, from a "concerned constituent, accuses Streamwood Village President Billie Roth of misusing taxpayers' money by driving her village car to the campaign office where she's mounting a challenge to 44th House District state Rep. Fred Crespo.

"I pay for all my personal miles, Roth responds to the voice belonging to a member of Crespo's campaign staff before walking off camera saying she would be calling police.

The confrontation, captured on video, made its way onto YouTube over the weekend, heightening the bad feelings in an already bitter campaign pitting Roth against the Democratic incumbent.

The video depicts the Republican Roth walking Sept. 28 from her campaign office in Streamwood to her village-issued car, a 2007 Chevrolet Impala that cost taxpayers $21,309, before being approached and questioned by the cameraman.

Crespo, of Hoffman Estates, claims Roth's use of the taxpayer-provided car for campaign purposes is unethical and possibly illegal. He said he's submitted the video to the Cook County state's attorney's office, hoping for an investigation.

"She's doing exactly what we've been fighting against in Springfield, he said.

Roth said she needs her car at all hours of the day for village matters and Crespo's accusations are distracting from debate of any substantial election issues.

"Anyone who knows me – and this certainly includes Fred Crespo – understands how careful I am with taxpayer dollars, Roth said. "Whenever there was the slightest bit of gray area, I have always reimbursed above and beyond to avoid any issues or concerns.

Streamwood ordinance requires personal miles driven on village vehicles to be logged. Roth is allowed 50 cents per mile to cover official and personal use of the car, which gets added to her annual salary as village president. She said she's reimbursed the village $17,000 since 2001 to cover mileage.

Roth did not address the use of the village car for campaign purposes, and it's unclear whether Streamwood's village ordinances specifically prohibit it.

Roth instead pointed to Crespo's car allowance and salary, noting that each state representative receives more than $67,000 per year. Crespo said that pays for office staff and rent, utilities and supplies plus other costs. He also donates a portion of the salary to charity, he said.

She also linked Crespo to state Democratic leadership, describing House Speaker Michael Madigan as Crespo's mentor, responsible for petty election tactics and the budget crisis.