Fact-checking candidates
Updated: October 18, 2012
SPRINGFIELD -- A mayor and county board chairman are fighting to win a
seat in the Illinois State Senate. Over the past few weeks, both have
been throwing punches in negative ads. WCIA-3's Steve Staeger puts some
claims into perspective to find out if they hold any truths.
Both candidates are going after each other on work histories. Mike McElroy is the mayor of Decatur. Andy Manar is a State Senate staffer. Everyone's favorite former governor is even making an appearance in this race.
"Senate candidate Andy Manar was Blagojevich's Senate budget boss."
That's the latest jab in what's becoming an ugly race for State Senate in the 48th District. Former Senate staffer and Macoupin County Board Chairman Any Manar is taking on McElroy. So, is it true?
"Senate candidate Andy Manar was Blago's Senate budget boss."
Well, it leaves a little bit out. Manar worked as a budget administrator for former State Senate President Emil Jones, and the campaign says, while he worked on the budgets for Jones, he never debated or voted on them on the floor.
Manar is quick to point out some votes McElroy made though.
"Mayor Mike McElroy. He voted to increase spending by 37%."
Freeze that for a second. Here's the issue with this statement. See that fine print right there? It cites statistics from 2006 - 2012. Mike McElroy didn't become mayor until 2009. Until then, he was only a member of the city council. While he did vote, his campaign claims most of the increases in spending were paid for with grants or other sources and didn't hit the city's funds.
"Facing budget deficits, McElroy charged taxpayers for his home internet."
This claim is true, but it was part of an agreement by the entire city council. They went paperless and the city agreed to pay internet for council members since they needed it for work. It's a practice that's since been stopped.
The negative ads targeting McElroy also got the attention of the Decatur Herald & Review. The editor wrote a column last month, pointing out those quotes that look like headlines weren't actual headlines, and in some cases, the information was buried deep in the articles.
Both candidates are going after each other on work histories. Mike McElroy is the mayor of Decatur. Andy Manar is a State Senate staffer. Everyone's favorite former governor is even making an appearance in this race.
"Senate candidate Andy Manar was Blagojevich's Senate budget boss."
That's the latest jab in what's becoming an ugly race for State Senate in the 48th District. Former Senate staffer and Macoupin County Board Chairman Any Manar is taking on McElroy. So, is it true?
"Senate candidate Andy Manar was Blago's Senate budget boss."
Well, it leaves a little bit out. Manar worked as a budget administrator for former State Senate President Emil Jones, and the campaign says, while he worked on the budgets for Jones, he never debated or voted on them on the floor.
Manar is quick to point out some votes McElroy made though.
"Mayor Mike McElroy. He voted to increase spending by 37%."
Freeze that for a second. Here's the issue with this statement. See that fine print right there? It cites statistics from 2006 - 2012. Mike McElroy didn't become mayor until 2009. Until then, he was only a member of the city council. While he did vote, his campaign claims most of the increases in spending were paid for with grants or other sources and didn't hit the city's funds.
"Facing budget deficits, McElroy charged taxpayers for his home internet."
This claim is true, but it was part of an agreement by the entire city council. They went paperless and the city agreed to pay internet for council members since they needed it for work. It's a practice that's since been stopped.
The negative ads targeting McElroy also got the attention of the Decatur Herald & Review. The editor wrote a column last month, pointing out those quotes that look like headlines weren't actual headlines, and in some cases, the information was buried deep in the articles.
