Byline: Russell Lissau rlissau@dailyherald.com
Three candidates for the Island Lake village board have scored an endorsement from an unusual source: state Sen. Dan Duffy.
Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican, is backing the candidacies of Joe Ptak, Shannon Fox and Thea Morris. They want village government to be more transparent, Duffy said, and that's an effort he supports.
"I think transparency would be a great thing in Island Lake," said Duffy, whose 26th District includes the small village. "(Island Lake) needs more sunshine, not less."
Duffy isn't the only lawmaker letting his feelings be
known about the Island Lake village board race. U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, a McHenry Republican, has endorsed Ptak as well.
Ptak was an outspoken backer of Walsh during the newly elected congressman's campaign last year. Ptak also garnered national media attention last fall when he insisted the Pledge of Allegiance be said at an 8th House District debate between Walsh, Democrat Melissa Bean and the Green Party's Bill Scheurer.
Walsh promoted that incident through a viral video, and it helped galvanize his support.
A Walsh spokesman confirmed the congressman has endorsed Ptak but did not comment further.
Ptak said he was honored by the endorsements.
"In my travels with them, in my meetings with them, they have always said, 'Joe, if you ever run for anything, count on my endorsement,'" Ptak said. "It feels fantastic."
Ptak, Fox and Morris are facing off against three other candidates for three seats on the board. Their rivals are Charles Cermak, Allen Murvine and Mary Piekarski.
Murvine didn't see anything wrong with the lawmakers getting involved in the municipal race.
"In an election you have to use all the means you have available to get votes," he said. "I don't think it's unfair."
All three seats carry 4-year terms. The seats are open because the three incumbents now holding the posts aren't seeking re-election.
State and federal lawmakers typically don't get involved in municipal races, which aren't supposed to be partisan.
Most suburban municipal candidates don't run as Republicans or Democrats. Some create slates and new political organizations that are specific for their race.
Ptak, Morris and Fox are running as Residents Invested in Governing With Honesty and Integrity.
Their opponents are running under the People's Voice for Island Lake banner.
Ptak, however, is a Republican activist and tea party supporter. He's met with Duffy and Walsh and said the lawmakers recognize he's a man who believes "what they believe in."
Duffy had no qualms about endorsing Ptak and his slate mates.
"If I see something good, I'm going to say it's good," he said.
Morris called Duffy's endorsement "incredible." As the senator pointed out, she believes their shared belief in open government particularly through increased use of the Internet to share contracts, financial reports and other documents makes them a good fit.
"I think we need to start (open government) at this level and continue that fight," Morris said.
Murvine said he wasn't surprised by the endorsements. He knew Ptak had campaigned for Walsh and was involved in the Pledge of Allegiance controversy.
The endorsements could sway some voters, Murvine said.
"Political parties don't generally come into play in local elections, but if some folks are very pro-Republican it could have an impact in how they vote," he said.
The support from Duffy and Walsh could turn off some Democratic voters, too, Murvine said.
Cermak wasn't bothered by his opponents' endorsements, either.
"(In) a little town like ours, the citizens will pick who they want," Cermak said.
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