McMichael: I Won’t Debate Noak

After Steve “Mongo” McMichael missed a candidates’ forum at a Romeoville senior community, Mayor John Noak is reasserting his willingness to debate his opponent in the weeks leading up to the April 9 election.

But the former Chicago Bear doesn’t seem eager to engage his political foe. Last week, McMichael told CBS he has no intention of debating Noak.

“You know if I choose to debate this guy, every media outlet is going to be there,” McMichael said, adding, “Why am I going to give him that exposure?”

McMichael previously told Patch his campaign was considering a fact-based debate, but did not accept an invitation to a March 28 candidate event sponsored by the Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce.

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Noak responded by challenging McMichael to a debate during an interview on WIND AM 560.

“The contrasts between Mr. McMichael and me couldn’t be clearer, and our residents deserve to see those differences side-by-side,” said Noak. “Mr. McMichael has made statements that are raising questions among voters. Debates are the best way to get those and many more questions answered."

Read: Noak Challenges McMichael to Debate

McMichael did appear at a fundraiser hosted by friends at Harry Caray’s restaurant in Chicago, where his former coach Mike Ditka formally endorsed him for mayor. McMichael told Patch he believes the buzz surrounding the star-studded event could help bring businesses to Romeoville.

"The business fairy doesn't show up at your town borders. You have to go out and solicit," McMichael said, adding that thanks to the media attention, “Businesses know there’s a place called Romeoville.”

After McMichael skipped a candidates’ forum hosted by the Grand Haven Civic Club last week, Noak issued a press release again offering to debate McMichael, owner of Mongo McMichael’s restaurant in Romeoville.

In a release issued the same day as McMichael’s Chicago fundraiser, Noak said he has accepted invitations to participate in candidate debates from Lewis University, HighPoint Community and WIND radio, along with the Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Noak said he was excited for the opportunity to talk with voters in a public forum, adding, “the institutions that will host these debates are non-partisan and unaligned with either campaign, so we will both have a fair chance to make our case to the voters. I’m looking forward to these debates so that voters have all the information they need to make the best choice for themselves and Romeoville."

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