Is Mark Batinick Mocking His Opponent's Brain Surgery?

Submitted photos of ads from both camps.

After a Patch reader sounded off regarding an attack ad against Democrat Moira Dunn, Republican Mark Batinick is firing back.

The two are running for state representative in the 97th District. The seat is currently held by Republican Tom Cross, who is running for state treasurer.

On Tuesday, a reader sent a letter to the editor blasting Batinick for an ad depicting Dunn as a bobble-head toy in a claw machine.

• Letter: Batinick Should Apologize for Campaign Ad

“Moira is a stroke and brain tumor survivor, and in his ad Batinick puts a ‘claw’ around her head,” the letter said, demanding an apology. The campaign ad, paid for by the Illinois Republican Party, also states, “Mike Madigan’s political machine is not ‘Dunn’ yet,” predicting higher taxes, wasteful spending and “destroying jobs.”

Batinick said Dunn’s campaign ads are no better.

“That ad pales in comparison to the negative, dirty tactics the Dunn campaign has used,” Batinick said when reached by phone Wednesday.

“She’s spent $300,000 on cable TV ads completely lying about me,” Batinick said, accusing the Dunn campaign of falsely claiming he is in favor of legislative pay increases. Dunn ads have photoshopped his head into several scenes, including one depicting him as a waiter who “will serve up Washington politics in Illinois,” according to Batinick. Another ad depicts Batinick with a wad of cash in one hand and a martini in the other, with the message, “Big banks ruined the economy, but Mark Batinick thinks they should manage our retirements.”

Batinick, a Plainfield businessman, said he wants to know Dunn’s source for the claims against him, particularly the accusation that he wants to raise pay for lawmakers.

Dunn, a Will County assistant state’s attorney and Shorewood resident, said she has received complaints about the “bobble head” ad. In a press release issued Wednesday afternoon, she said the ad shows that her opponent’s campaign is out of touch and “lacks character.”

“While working her way through law school, Moira suffered from a rare brain tumor that went undiagnosed for four years, causing severe pain. Shortly after graduation, she underwent successful brain surgery. After making a full recovery, Moira passed the bar and devoted her life to public safety and giving back to her community,” the release said, adding that Dunn’s campaign office has received “countless complaints” about the ad.

Asked about Batinick’s assertions about her own ads, the Dunn campaign countered that Batinick’s ads use a “deeply troubling image.”

“Mr. Batinick attempts to use a deeply troubling image to mock a woman who overcame a stroke and brain tumor at a young age, and triumphed over adversity. Mr. Batinick clearly crossed a line with this mailing, and has refused to acknowledge this nor apologize for it,” the campaign said in an email to Patch. “Moira Dunn’s campaign has stuck to the issues; she has mailed information that contrasts her views on the issues with her opponent’s record. Moira is additionally running a campaign against the tax increase extension, and has gathered over 1,500 names from local residents who agree with her that the tax hike should expire as promised.”