Non-Partisan Committee Has Been Helping Candidates Get Elected for Decades

For more than two decades, a non-partisan committee in Woodridge has selected certain candidates to support in village elections, and it has a habit of picking the winners.

Mayor William Murphy is the chairman and treasurer of the 24-year-old group, which assists select Village Board candidates through the election process. The committee helps candidates with preparing petitions and promoting their campaigns, including through mailing materials, campaign signs, word of mouth, and fundraising and other financial support.

The committee has about 20 members, Murphy said, including former and current elected Woodridge officials. He would not disclose the names of the other members.

“They are people interested in the village who wanted to choose good people to serve,” he said.

For the April 5 consolidated election, the committee has thrown its support behind incumbent and political newcomer —two of the four candidates running for two spots on the Village Board.

In accordance with a state law that requires candidates being supported to be included in the committee's name, the group now is going by “Citizens for Banks and Airan.” In years past, it also has been called “Citizens for Murphy” and “Continue the Progress Campaign.”

The group has historically had success in getting the people it supports into office.

"(Candidates supported by the committee) tend to be the ones who get elected,” Murphy said.

Some have expressed concern that the committee's help could translate into political pressure to vote a certain way once the supported candidates are elected.

Banks and Murphy maintain there is no pressure or undue influence placed on candidates to make certain decisions. They said differences of opinion on the board are respected. Airan declined to comment.

Murphy said each board member makes decisions “in the best interests of Woodridge.”

“Many times decisions are unanimous because we have a good staff and they make recommendations that are followed,” Murphy said. “But issues do come up and different views are expressed.”

Banks agreed.

“I’ve never felt pressure one way or another,” Banks said. “We’re all adults. We all have our own mindset. We don’t agree on everything. But we have respect for each other.” 

However, incumbent , who also is up for election to another term on the Village Board, said anyone who receives campaign support can’t help but feel a sense of obligation.

“It’s a natural thing if someone helps you fund your campaign,” Pittinger said. “Anyone who denies that is not in touch with reality.”

Before running for re-election, Pittinger was asked by committee members whether he wanted their support. He said he declined because he didn’t need the help.

“I was the top vote-getter in 2007 and I plan to be the top vote-getter this year,” Pittinger said. “I don’t need the organization to help me. There needs to be an individual voice on the board that best represents the community as opposed to essentially representing one point of view.”

Murphy said the committee has a healthy respect for Pittinger and respected his decision to decline its help.

“The offer was made to Dave to help him with the distribution of materials and signs,” he said. “It’s in Dave’s nature. He prefers to run on his own. We certainly respect him. ... We have a healthy respect for Dave and what he’s done.”

is a newcomer to the Village Board race. Committee members did not offer him their support, but he said if they had, he would have declined the help.

“I would never want to put myself in the position with the appearance of a conflict of interest,” Abbott said.  “I don’t think it’s right for a candidate or a board member to accept money from a mayor.”

Murphy said Banks was chosen because she has done an excellent job as a Village Trustee and the committee thought she should continue.

“She has a good pulse on the committee and an intelligence when she contributes her views and decisions," he said.

Airan would be a new face on the Village Board. Murphy said he was chosen by the committee because of his work on the Police Commissioners Board.

“He likewise has done a good job of deliberating police matter and personnel,” Murphy said. “He also has a long-standing residency of over 40 years. He was also chief of surgery at Good Samaritan so he has a significant business and financial background.”

According to a semi-annual report filed with the state, the committee claimed to have $4,995.01 available on July 1, 2010. From then through the end of the year, the committee received $2,400 and spent $1,062.05, to end 2010 with $6,332.96.

Among other expenditures, the committee spent $400 in tickets to a fundraiser benefiting Bill Brady, according to the report. Meanwhile, the report also shows contributions to the committee, including:

• $500 from Vincent Naccaiato of Hinsdale
• $500 from Scott Morey of Woodridge-based Morey Corp.
• $300 from Christopher Burke Engineering
• $300 from Joseph Perrino of Woodridge-based Home Run Inn Foods Corp.