My name is Laura and I’m Randy’s oldest daughter.  Randy has always been there for me and my two sisters.  He’s always cared for us, believed in us, and made us work hard for what we believe in.  I know Jim Reis has been sending out reasons on why you should vote for my dad as your next senator.  I decided to make a list as well from knowing my dad better than just about anyone.  So, on behalf of my sisters and ...]]>

My name is Laura and I’m Randy’s oldest daughter.  Randy has always been there for me and my two sisters.  He’s always cared for us, believed in us, and made us work hard for what we believe in.  I know Jim Reis has been sending out reasons on why you should vote for my dad as your next senator.  I decided to make a list as well from knowing my dad better than just about anyone.  So, on behalf of my sisters and me, here are my reasons on why you should vote for my dad on November 6.

Sincerely,

Laura Frese

Adams County Treasurer Terry Asher said a television advertisement aired by Sen. John Sullivan’s re-election campaign is “a misrepresentation at best … and at worst it’s lying.”

Sullivan responded early Tuesday night to say that he will change the ad after what he considers new information from Asher.

The 30-second ad that began airing Monday says that Randy Frese, the Republican challenger in Sullivan’s 47th Senate District, has been late with property tax payments 20 times. The source cited is the Adams County ...]]>

By DOUG WILSON
Herald-Whig Senior Writer

Adams County Treasurer Terry Asher said a television advertisement aired by Sen. John Sullivan’s re-election campaign is “a misrepresentation at best … and at worst it’s lying.”

Sullivan responded early Tuesday night to say that he will change the ad after what he considers new information from Asher.

The 30-second ad that began airing Monday says that Randy Frese, the Republican challenger in Sullivan’s 47th Senate District, has been late with property tax payments 20 times. The source cited is the Adams County treasurer’s office.

“This is a false account of Mr. Frese’s tax payment records,” Asher said.

Asher said he was contacted by Elizabeth Balderas of the Illinois Senate Democratic Victory Fund several times, and he responded to two Freedom of Information Act requests. Balderas was given copies of tax records on two properties owned by Frese from the 1992 to 2010 tax years, and for one property involving the tax years 1987 to 1991.

“Upon researching the tax records, I discovered that Mr. Frese paid all real estate property taxes for both properties on or before the due dates except for the second installment payment of the 1995 tax year. For this tax year, his second installment payments were late by one or two days and included $56.46 in late payment interest,” Asher said.

Rikeesha Phelon, the spokeswoman for Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said the Democratic Victory Fund initially stood behind the ad.

“Based on records obtained from the treasurer’s office and using the date calculation, it appears that Frese was late 20 times,” Phelon said.

Asher shared copies of all records that went to Balderas, including his own confirmation that Frese was only subject to penalties on two properties one time.

“All payments were made on time except for the 1995 tax year” second installment, Asher wrote.
Phelon said the collection dates on many of the tax bills were dated “later than July 1 and September 1.”

Asher said those were not the installment dates every year, due to a state law that requires that taxpayers get at least 30 days notice before the first tax collection date. Some multi-county issues, such as the taxes for John Wood Community College, prevent Adams County from knowing all tax information until it is too late to allow a July 1 installment date, Asher said.

Newspaper records from previous years confirm that installment dates were not consistent and may have led Balderas to wrongly assume that late payments were made.

Sullivan learned of Asher’s comments Tuesday afternoon and later said he would take down the ad.

“Based on new information from the Republican treasurer, I will alter that ad,” Sullivan said.

Frese campaign director Kimber Beckler had called for the Sullivan campaign to take down the ad.

“We appreciate that Mr. Asher is coming forward. It’s obviously false information,” she said.

—dwilson@whig.com/221-3372

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 ...]]> 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.”

Just before KHQA’s Tuesday 10 p.m. newscast, Senator Sullivan called KHQA with the news.

Adams County Treasurer Terry Asher says a campaign ad by the Friends of John Sullivan was inaccurate.

The ad claimed that Randy Frese, the Republican candidate for the 47th Senate District, failed to pay his real estate taxes 20 times.

The ad cited the Adams County Treasurer as the source of the allegation.

Asher ...]]> QUINCY, ILL. — Illinois Senator John Sullivan says that he will take down and replace a controversial television ad against his opponent for the 47the Senate District race Randy Frese.

Just before KHQA’s Tuesday 10 p.m. newscast, Senator Sullivan called KHQA with the news.

Adams County Treasurer Terry Asher says a campaign ad by the Friends of John Sullivan was inaccurate.

The ad claimed that Randy Frese, the Republican candidate for the 47th Senate District, failed to pay his real estate taxes 20 times.

The ad cited the Adams County Treasurer as the source of the allegation.

Asher says this was a false account of Frese’s tax records.

He says Frese made a payment a couple of days late with $56 in late fees attached to it.

In a stack of records that go back 25 years, Asher says that was the only instance that records show Frese had any discrepancies with his taxes.

Sullivan told KHQA that his campaign went with the information it originally received for the ad. But since Treasurer has brought forth new information, he will make sure the add is changed as quickly as possible.

A political commercial that is being aired and paid for by the Friends of John Sullivan is drawing criticism from Adams County Treasurer Terry Asher.

Tuesday at a press conference in Washington Park, Asher refuted some of the statements made in the ...]]> QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -(UPDATE: Illinois State Senator John Sullivan said Tuesday evening that he plans to change the disputed ad after what he considers new information from Adams County Treasurer Terry Asher. Click here for more information from our newsgathering partners at the Quincy Herald-Whig.)

A political commercial that is being aired and paid for by the Friends of John Sullivan is drawing criticism from Adams County Treasurer Terry Asher.

Tuesday at a press conference in Washington Park, Asher refuted some of the statements made in the ad.

Treasurer Asher issued the following statement:

“Today I became aware of an ad airing by the Friends for John Sullivan that Randy Frese, Republican candidate for the 47^th Senate District, failed to pay his real estate taxes on time for 20 years.  The ad cites the Adams County Treasurer as the source of the allegation.

This is a false account of Mr. Frese’s tax payment records.  In fact, I explained, in detail, to a Ms. Balderas, of the Illinois Senate Democrats through multiple conversations responding two Freedom of Information requests of Mr. Frese’s and his family’s tax payment records.  I also provided Ms Balderas copies of tax records on two properties owned by Mr. Frese from the 1992 to 2010 tax years.  For one property I included additional records for the 1987 to 1991 tax years.

Upon researching the tax records I discovered that Mr. Frese paid all real estate property taxes for both properties on or before the due dates except for the second installment payment of the 1995 tax year.  For this tax year his second installment payments were late by one or two days and included $56.46 in late payment interest.

This is the only instance that records show Mr. Frese had any discrepancies with his taxes.  This is exactly what I explained to Ms. Balderas from the Illinois Senate Democrats.  Any attempt to make it more than that is inaccurate and misrepresents the facts.

As Adams County Treasurer, I request that the Sullivan campaign immediately correct the misinformation or remove any citation of the Adams County Treasurer from this inaccurate commercial.  I cannot tolerate being cited inaccurately for political purposes, regardless of party.  I hope that all candidates will respect the facts and tell the complete truth in their messages to voters.”

State Senator John Sullivan (D-47) was forced Tuesday to cease airing his most recent campaign ad which falsely attacks his Republican opponent, Randy Frese.

“Unfortunately, after a decade in the General Assembly, Sen. Sullivan has become just another politician who can’t — or won’t — tell the truth. He’ll say or do anything to stay in office,” said Kimber Beckler, Frese’s Campaign Director.

Sullivan began his latest onslaught against Frese on Tuesday – falsely accusing the small businessman of not paying his property taxes, citing ...]]> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State Senator John Sullivan (D-47) was forced Tuesday to cease airing his most recent campaign ad which falsely attacks his Republican opponent, Randy Frese.

“Unfortunately, after a decade in the General Assembly, Sen. Sullivan has become just another politician who can’t — or won’t — tell the truth. He’ll say or do anything to stay in office,” said Kimber Beckler, Frese’s Campaign Director.

Sullivan began his latest onslaught against Frese on Tuesday – falsely accusing the small businessman of not paying his property taxes, citing official Adams County sources.

In a radio interview this morning on WGEM Sen. John Sullivan admitted, “…our information was inaccurate.”

Sullivan only pulled the ad after Adams County Treasurer Terry Asher exposed the lie and demanded action.

“As Adams County Treasurer, I request that the Sullivan campaign immediately correct the misinformation or remove any citation of the Adams County Treasurer from this inaccurate commercial.  I cannot tolerate being cited inaccurately for political purposes, regardless of party,” Asher told reporters in a press conference Tuesday in Quincy. ( The entirety of Treasurer Asher’s statement and documentation is attached.)

In a string of emails Asher provided as well, Frese’s history of paying taxes was well documented to Sullivan campaign representatives. Asher noted he made the facts clear to Sullivan’s campaign.

“This is a false account of Mr. Freses’s tax payment records. In fact, I explained in detail, to a Ms. Balderas, of the Illinois Senate Democrats through multiple conversations responding to Freedom of Information requests of Mr. Frese’s and his family’s tax payment records,” Asher said in his official statement.

Beckler noted, “The Sullivan campaign aired an ad that they knew was false. It’s another unfortunate example of ruthless Chicago-style politics. They want to win at all costs.”

Randy Frese, of Paloma, is currently the Adams County Circuit Clerk.  He is running for the 47^th Senate District as the republican candidate.  He has pushed for reforms in transparency in state government, pensions, term limits and is a fiscal conservative.

###

“The first bill I will propose as senator representing the 47th senate district will be for conceal and carry,” Frese said.  “It’s important to our district for several reasons.  One being is that a great deal of this district is rural.  A call to the sheriff could result in a delay of a reaction if immediate services were needed.  People need to be able ...]]> Republican State Senate candidate Randy Frese appeared with Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) in Macomb and Galesburg as they discussed 2nd Amendment rights.

“The first bill I will propose as senator representing the 47^th senate district will be for conceal and carry,” Frese said.  “It’s important to our district for several reasons.  One being is that a great deal of this district is rural.  A call to the sheriff could result in a delay of a reaction if immediate services were needed.  People need to be able to protect themselves, their home, and their property.  Law abiding citizens will follow the gun laws that are set into place.  That’s the bottom line.  Preventing people from concealing and carrying is not only detrimental to their safety and security, but also denying them a fundamental right that has been enacted by 49 other states.”

Frese says he’s been hearing from members of the NRA in the 47th District about further proposed anti-gun legislation that is coming from Chicago

“The idea that the Cook County Board President is discussing plans to tax ammunition as a way to prevent people from using guns illegally is not only troubling, but also irresponsible,” he said.  “We shouldn’t tax law abiding citizens under some misguided notion that criminals will suddenly stop committing crimes because we’ve written a new law.  This is a bad solution to a problem that predominately applies to Cook County, and we need to elect officials that are able to work independently of the Chicago Machine.”

Senator Bill Brady alsoweighed in during the discussion.  “Randy’s ideas and work ethic will make him an important addition to the senate.  He will work hard not only for gun rights, but also on getting the budget under control and bringing jobs to Illinois,especially western Illinois.  I look forward to working with him and am proud to support his campaign for senate.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paloma, Ill. – Randy Frese, candidate for the 47th Senate District, announced his unwavering support for 2nd Amendment Rights during a tour of the district on Friday.  Frese appeared with Senator Bill Brady (R-44th Senate District) in Macomb and Galesburg.

“Throughout the district and the state, constituents are consistently stressing the concern about their second amendment rights.  The first bill I will propose as senator representing the 47th senate district will be for ...]]> Frese wants to propose bill for conceal and carry in Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paloma, Ill. – Randy Frese, candidate for the 47^th Senate District, announced his unwavering support for 2^nd Amendment Rights during a tour of the district on Friday.  Frese appeared with Senator Bill Brady (R-44^th Senate District) in Macomb and Galesburg.

“Throughout the district and the state, constituents are consistently stressing the concern about their second amendment rights.  The first bill I will propose as senator representing the 47^th senate district will be for conceal and carry.  It’s important to our district for several reasons.  One being is that a great deal of this district is rural.  A call to the sheriff could result in a delay of a reaction if immediate services were needed.  People need to be able to protect themselves, their home, and their property.  Law abiding citizens will follow the gun laws that are set into place.  That’s the bottom line.  Preventing people from concealing and carrying is not only detrimental to their safety and security, but also denying them a fundamental right that has been enacted by 49 other states.”

Frese also brought up a Chicago initiative that has been of concern to NRA members in the district.  “The idea that the Cook County Board President is discussing plans to tax ammunition as a way to prevent people from using guns illegally is not only troubling, but also irresponsible.  We shouldn’t tax law abiding citizens under some misguided notion that criminals will suddenly stop committing crimes because we’ve written a new law.  This is a bad solution to a problem that predominately applies to Cook County, and we need to elect officials that are able to work independently of the Chicago Machine.”

“Our district has experienced a sitting senator that for the last ten years has voted with Chicago any time they needed him.  I would like to know how he feels about this proposal.  I would also like for him to answer the questions that the media and I have so frequently asked.  What will you do to solve our pension crisis?  How do you feel about a lame duck session vote on the pension issue?  How do you consider a 50% pay increase over ten years a cut in your pay?  How will you guarantee more transparency in state government?  What have you done specifically to enhance economic development in western Illinois?  Why do you accuse me of cutting $1 billion from the state’s education budget when you have served on the committee that approved 15% in budget cuts for WIU?  These are legitimate questions, asked repeatedly, and your answer has been one of deafening silence.  We need a change.  We need opportunities for western Illinois.  I am the candidate that will work to provide those opportunities for the constituents of my district.”

Senator Bill Brady also weighed in during the discussion.  “Randy’s ideas and work ethic will make him an important addition to the senate.  He will work hard not only for gun rights, but also on getting the budget under control and bringing jobs to Illinois, especially western Illinois.  I look forward to working with him and am proud to support his campaign for senate.”

###

Illinois Senate candidate Randy Frese said campaign ads attacking his “education plan” are false advertising.

“At no time during my campaign have I ever endorsed any education plan of any type, And I have certainly never said that I want to take $1 billion out of education funding,” Frese said Wednesday.

“My wife is a teacher, and my mother-in-law is a retired teacher.”

Frese, a Republican, said his comments were prompted by an advertisement paid for by Friends of John Sullivan.

Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, ...]]>

By DOUG WILSON
Herald-Whig Senior Writer

Illinois Senate candidate Randy Frese said campaign ads attacking his “education plan” are false advertising.

“At no time during my campaign have I ever endorsed any education plan of any type, And I have certainly never said that I want to take $1 billion out of education funding,” Frese said Wednesday.

“My wife is a teacher, and my mother-in-law is a retired teacher.”

Frese, a Republican, said his comments were prompted by an advertisement paid for by Friends of John Sullivan.

Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, said the ad is based on Frese’s comments on a local radio station.

“He was on WTAD a while back, and he said the Senate Republicans’ ‘Reality Check Budget’ was a wonderful plan, and he said he supports it,” Sullivan said. “That budget would cut $1 billion from public education, and that’s what’s cited in the ad.”

Kimber Beckler, deputy campaign manager for Frese, said that’s not what was said.

“If you look at what he said in the podcast, which is available, he didn’t say he was for it and he didn’t endorse it. He said there are people out there trying to get the budget back on track. It was one sentence,” Beckler said.

Frese said education is actually a weak issue for Sullivan, pointing out that the budget at Western Illinois University in Macomb has been cut by 15 percent during the past 10 years.

“Sullivan was in leadership and the chairman of the Budget Committee. He could have made sure that these cuts were not in the budget,” Frese said.

Other issues should be at the heart of the campaign, Frese said. The state debt crisis, pension underfunding and other issues make it difficult for the state to attract businesses and jobs, he said.

– dwilson@whig.com/221-3372

Frese gives statement pertaining to claims made in Sullivan’s attack ad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paloma, Ill. – Randy Frese, candidate for the 47th senate district, today released a statement made by Senator John Sullivan in his recent attack ad.

“I have never endorsed an education plan of any type and I have never said I want to cut $1 billion of education funding.  My wife is a teacher, my mother-in-law is a retired teacher, and I have a number of family members who work in education.  I ...]]>  

Frese gives statement pertaining to claims made in Sullivan’s attack ad

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paloma, Ill. – Randy Frese, candidate for the 47^th senate district, today released a statement made by Senator John Sullivan in his recent attack ad.

“I have never endorsed an education plan of any type and I have never said I want to cut $1 billion of education funding.  My wife is a teacher, my mother-in-law is a retired teacher, and I have a number of family members who work in education.  I have three children, two of whom are of college age, and I certainly understand the impact that college tuition has on middle class families.  I am clearly pro-education and educators.  I do not see the need to make allegations that are completely baseless.”

“The real problem is that Sullivan has sat ideally by while Western Illinois University’s budget has been slashed by 15% during the decade that he has been in the senate.  It’s because of the cuts that Sullivan has put into place that WIU tuition has spiked.  It is the students who have to carry the burden of those decisions.  Sullivan was in leadership and the chairman of the budget committee.  He could have made sure that these cuts were not in the budget.  He not only signed off on them in the committee hearings, but he voted for them on the floor.”

“Sullivan needs to focus on his own record, instead of making up one for me.  His record consists of more taxing, more borrowing, and more spending.”

###