Trustee Says McMichael Broke Election Law

Steve McMichael, former Chicago Bears football player and Romeoville mayoral candidate, addressed the media Tuesday at an impromptu press conference spurred by an election disclosure complaint filed by Romeoville Village Trustee Ken Griffin.

He and his attorney, Lisa Marie Raucci, said it was too "premature" to issue a statement about the specifics of the complaint, which allege McMichael violated state law by not filing campaign paperwork, fundraising and expenses with the state.

They plan to address it through the "appropriate channels," Raucci said.

"I'm not going to be a knee-jerk politician," McMichael said, adding that the complaint will not deter him from the three-way mayoral race against incumbent John Noak and former mayor Fred Dewald.

"I'm an American, not an Ameri-can't," he said.

Griffin filed the charge with the Illinois State Board of Elections on Dec. 26, the same day McMichael filed his petitions to be on the April 9 election ballot, 

Griffin's complaint says the committee supporting McMichael's bid did not file a statement of organization within 10 days of raising or spending $3,000, the story said. He also said the Chicago Slaughter indoor football team violated the law by not reporting the cost of the "Mongo for Mayor" T-shirts its selling, a Joliet Herald New story said.

McMichael offered few details about his platform Tuesday, saying that he will continue to release more information closer to the election. He did say that he believes the town is "mismanaged" and there are too many foreclosures, which are driving down property values.

"I've always sacrificed myself for the greater good, when I played for the Bears and God knows when I wrestled," he said. He added that he would run the village through "teamwork," if elected.

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