Will County Gazette

Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub is calling out Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) over what he insists is a lack of transparency in Durkin's office.

Several media outlets have recently reported Durkin staffer Michael Mahoney failed to disclose his friendship with a lobbyist representing a firm bidding for a "massive contract" that Mahoney was at least partially responsible for vetting, Straub said.

“Illinois families suffer when Jim Durkin and his staff act without transparency or integrity,” Straub, who is running against Durkin in the 82nd District, said in a press release. “These stunning conflicts of interest and continued lack of transparency come from the top. Jim Durkin and his staff are not acting in the best interest of families or this state, whether it be abusing his legislative position in a 'horrible conflict of interest' to make money for his law firm, Arnstein & Lehr LLP, helping a strip club consultant and (House Speaker Mike) Madigan ally secure an influential meeting, or a staffer who makes decisions on state contracts that benefit his friends.”

Village of Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub

Burr insisted this isn’t the first time he feels Durkin has put his own interest above those of his taxpaying constituents.

“Unfortunately, Durkin has consistently shown himself to be more interested in helping other career politicians and well-connected insiders,” Straub added in the release. “This culture of corruption and consistent conflicts of interest is why I’m running. I’m going to Springfield to represent the citizens, not self-interest and to promote Lincoln’s core values. It’s time for honesty and transparency in Springfield.”

The 82nd District covers parts of Cook, DuPage and Will counties, including Darien, Homer Glen, Lemont and Willowbrook.