Adams County Treasurer claims Sullivan ad is "inaccurate"

7 months ago by Bob Gough

Sullivan spokesperson says they were provided incomplete information and ad will be changed

The Adams County Treasurer says the latest television ad by the Senator John Sullivan campaign is “inaccurate”.

The ad cites Treasurer Terry Asher’s office and claims Sullivan’s opponent, Adams County Circuit Clerk Randy Frese, a Paloma Republican, has been late on paying his property taxes 20 times.

Asher, A Republican, said Frese was “one or two days” late on paying the second installment of his property taxes in 1995 and that was “the only instance that records show” Frese had any discrepancies with his taxes. Frese paid $56.46 in late payment interest according to Asher.

Asher said he complied with two Freedom of Information Act requests from the Illinois Senate Democrats regarding Frese’s taxes. He said he also had multiple conversations with a representative of the Illinois Senate Democrats.

Rachel Campbell of the Sullivan campaign said the ad will be changed and said Asher's office provided "incomplete information."

"The information in the current television ad regarding Mr. Frese's late property tax payments was calculated based on the information provided by the Republican Adams County Treasurer," Campbell said. "It has recently come to light that the information provided was incomplete. With this new information, we are adjusting our television ad to ensure our message is factual. Mr. Frese paid a penalty for late property taxes, and paid a fine for a minimum wage law violation."

Campbell also provided the documentation for the minimum wage violation.

"...a second complaint from 1994 referenced on pages 1 and 2--that claim was dismissed," Campbell said. "The claim referenced in our ad is documented on pages 3 and 4 of the attached document. It shows a "Type 9" complaint filed in 2000, which is a overtime/minimum wage complaint. It also shows that $373.81 was paid in full as a result of the claim. Randy Frese is listed as the contact."

"We very much appreciate that Terry Asher has come forth to set the record straight," said Frese Deputy Campaign Director Kimber Beckler. "I think we're seeing the true John Sullivan trying to maintain his votes in the 47th District."