Hinsdale Promoted Politician In 4th Of July Parade

HINSDALE, IL – Public bodies in Illinois are barred from promoting the campaigns of political candidates. But it appeared that Hinsdale did just that during its Fourth of July parade.

During the parade, a big sign for state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, a Western Springs Democrat, adorned the front of a Hinsdale fire truck. The sign included the logo that Hilton uses in campaign materials.

Asked about the sign, Fire Chief John Giannelli said he was directed by Village Hall not to comment.

In an interview, Village President Tom Cauley said Hilton helped the village get the money for the fire truck.

"We're not a partisan community," Cauley said. "We recognized her help."

On Twitter, Jeanne Ives, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate, called the sign on the fire truck "1000% unethical."

"Taxpayer funds cannot be used for political purposes," said Ives, who is also a former state representative. "No surprise that firefighters did this as their union is as bad as the teacher unions. Hinsdale needs to fire their fire chief."

It was unclear who in the village government decided to put the sign on the truck.

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of the Chicago-based Reform for Illinois, said public property cannot be used for campaign purposes.

"If this is a public fire truck being used for campaign purposes, it is indeed a violation of the State Ethics Act," she said in an email.

In an interview, Kaplan said that while Hinsdale officials' action may have been unintentional, the state has rules against such promotions for a reason.

Patch left a message for comment with Hilton.