Landek: Opponent ‘is absolutely wrong’
By STEVE METSCH smetsch@southtownstar.com January 27, 2012 2:18PM
State Senate candidate Raul Montes Jr. reads a statement during a press conference outside Bridgeview Village Hall in Bridgeview, Illinois, Friday, January, 27, 2012. Montes says that his opponent, Steve Landek, has a conflict of interest since Landek is Bridgeview's mayor, and should be removed from the ballot. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 1, 2012 8:23AM
State Sen. Steve Landek (D-Bridgeview), who also is the mayor of Bridgeview, said his opponent in the Democratic primary “is absolutely wrong” when calling for his resignation.
In a news conference held Friday morning outside the Bridgeview Village Hall, 7500 S. Oketo Ave., Raul Montes Jr. called for Landek to resign because of the potential for conflicts of interest.
“The simultaneous tenures as an appointed state senator and as the elected mayor of Bridgeview are incompatible offices which created a conflict of interest for Mr. Landek,” Montes, a substitute teacher, said.
Landek said Montes is trying to get publicity by demanding his resignation.
“He doesn’t have one major issue for the district, one new idea or one suggestion on how to address today’s difficult economy,” Landek said.
“What’s he going to do for the taxpayers of the district and the municipalities and communities this district represents? I have a solid record of achievement. I’m hard-working and the fact that he is attacking me should be a signal to voters about what Mr. Montes is all about,” Landek said.
“I’m not doing anything that is different from anyone else,” he said. “Louis Viverito was the state senator before me, appointed in 1995 to the senate seat. He also was the elected Stickney Township supervisor. He was very effective. Working hard in government is not incompatible with what the taxpayers need. There are also Cook County commissioners who are municipal mayors,” Landek said.
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