Candidates spar over mailers' claims

State Sen. Matt Murphy's not too thrilled with his opponent's campaign material, either.

A mailer sent by Peter Gutzmer to tens of thousands of households in the 27th Senate District suggests Murphy opposes ethics reform.

"There's an ethical emergency in Springfield and Matt Murphy is part of the problem," it states. "He voted for more of the same corrupt, Springfield practices."

Baloney, says Murphy, a Palatine Republican.

"I voted for everything he indicated I'm against," says Murphy. "It's sneaky deceptions like this that turn people off to politics."

Gutzmer's mailer refers to an ethics plan focused on ending pay-to-play politics by banning businesses with state contracts from contributing to politicians who award them.

In May, after two years of tweaking, the bill was unanimously passed by the General Assembly. But Gov. Rod Blagojevich used his veto to rewrite the measure to include provisions aimed at legislators, such as prohibiting "double dipping." That would restrict lawmakers from working in certain government jobs.

"(A legislator) could be a teacher but not a brain surgeon at a county hospital," says Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. "It was targeted at specific people, and I doubt it was constitutional."

Legislators agreed with some of Blagojevich's add-ons, but many, including Murphy, saw them as the governor's way of trying to kill the original ethics bill.

"He was jeopardizing legislation by taking political shots at his enemies," Murphy says.

Lawmakers unanimously overrode the veto, making the original ethics reform law. The very next day, legislation was introduced using components of Blagojevich's rewrite.

Gutzmer's camp claims Murphy was irresponsible by voting to override the veto because there was no guarantee of a second bill.

"Murphy was hoping through backroom deals they'd come up with something else," said Jeff Gaunt, Gutzmer's campaign manager. "Pete's saying we can't afford to take that kind of political gamble."

Murphy says it was widely known an additional reform bill would be immediately introduced. It was important to finally get the original ethics bill, however imperfect, on the books, he adds.

Gutzmer also argues Murphy sided with leadership when he could have taken a stand and urged lawmakers to consider some of Blagojevich's points.

"He's playing politics with the governor on something as important as ethics," says Gutzmer.