Frerichs Needs To Answer For Mistakes Made As Auditor
Bad Math & Patronage Scandals Highlight Frerichs’ Past
Chicago… State Senator and Democrat candidate for Treasurer Mike Frerichs has touted his financial experience and plans to deter the influence of special interests in the Treasurer’s office. But first, Frerichs has to answer for on-the-job errors that cost the taxpayers millions, and past instances of patronage that undercut his claims at reform, says Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider.
“As Auditor, Mike Frerichs missed the mark on an Early Retirement Initiative that he said would save Champaign County thousands, but it ended up costing taxpayers millions,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider. “Illinois simply cannot afford a Treasurer who is bad at math.”
In 2003, Champaign County Auditor Mike Frerichs was tasked with analyzing an Early Retirement Initiative (ERI) for Champaign County. Relying on the analysis and data from Auditor Mike Frerichs, the Champaign County Board approved the ERI plan and Frerichs supported the plan saying it is a “good tool to deal with budgetary problems for the county board.” (“County Board to Consider Offering Early Retirement,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 7/3/03)
Within a few short months, Frerichs’ analysis proved to be far off the mark as the plan failed to achieve savings and in fact created $2.45 million in new unfunded liabilities for the county.
The funding shortfall required the Champaign County Board to conduct a bonding issuance to pay off pension obligations for IMRF. The bonds to pay off the failed ERI program were finally paid off nine years later in January 2014 with a total cost to taxpayers of more than three million dollars. (Champaign County Budget)
Frerichs’ mistakes as Auditor were documented during the County Board debate to remove him as Champaign County’s agent with IMRF. Frerichs fought the dismissal, but it was approved by the County Board by a bipartisan vote of 17-5. (Champaign County Policy, Personnel and Appointments Committee – 9/6/2006, Champaign County Board Minutes – 9/21/2006)
Frerichs has continued to try to hide his mistakes made during the ERI. First, he blamed the cost to taxpayers on stock market returns after the ERI, until it was pointed out the market outperformed expectations. Then he said that he was only in charge of gathering data, when in fact he presented the plan to the Champaign County Board Finance Committee. (”Treasurer Race Heats Up Over Accusations of Mismanagement, Patronage,” The Associated Press, 8/12/14; Champaign County Board Finance Committee Minutes, 4/23/03)
“Mike Frerichs’ bad math cost Champaign County taxpayers millions,” said Schneider. “The simple truth is that Frerichs has neither the skill set nor experience to be Illinois Treasurer. He simply is not ready for the responsibility.”
Patronage & Alleged Ghost Payrolling
Mike Frerichs is at the epicenter of two of the most publicized and costly patronage scandals in recent Champaign County history. While Frerichs claims he wants to remove “clout” from the office of State Treasurer, his record is laced with reports of patronage, clout and ghost-payrolling that ended up costing taxpayers over $100,000.
CURT DEEDRICH
Frerichs Flexes Clout to Get Campaign Manager A Job
The Deedrich appointment three years ago stemmed from the dual desire of county board Democrats both to flex their newfound political muscle by filling county jobs with patronage appointments and to satisfy current state Sen. Mike Frerichs’ desire to find a good job for his former campaign manager. So in a controversial decision, board Democrats passed over a better-qualified employee in the supervisor of assessments office and named Deedrich to what had been a nonpolitical post. (“Deedrich Follies Are County Board’s Doing,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 6/10/07)
The Results Of Frerichs’ Patronage Program Called “A Disaster”
But he’s been such a disaster that it’s unlikely Deedrich will win reappointment when his term expires next year. That’s assuming he hasn’t been fired by then. (“County Positions Should Be Filled On Merit, Not Loyalty,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 4/6/07)
TONY FABRI
Frerichs Pushes Fabri For County Auditor Post
Fabri had the backing of two former auditors at the meeting, Frerichs and Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing. (“Champaign County Democrats Nominate Fabri For Auditor,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 1/4/07)
Fabri Decides He Doesn’t Need To Show Up For Work
County government telephone records indicate that Champaign County Auditor Tony Fabri has been missing from his office for well over half the workdays in the last year, including two different periods when he apparently was gone for more than a month. (“Phone Records Show County Auditor Frequently Absent,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 3/15/09)
And Frerichs Gives Fabri Advice On How To Avoid Ghost-Pay Rolling Criticism
Fabri said Frerichs, who preceded him as county auditor, warned there might be sniping about his attendance at work. “He said that when you start hearing complaints to just walk around Brookens and say ‘Hi’ to everyone and make sure that they see you,” Fabri recounted. (“Phone Records Show County Auditor Frequently Absent,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 3/15/09)
Frerichs Admits Fabri Doesn’t Show Up For Work And Doesn’t Do A Good Job, But Urges Voters To Support Him Anyway
Frerichs, a longtime ally of Fabri’s, urged voters to look beyond the charges of absenteeism against Fabri … “I’m not saying that the current auditor shows up every day and does the best job. (“Voters To Decide Whether To Keep Elected Auditor,” The Champaign News-Gazette, 3/29/11)
“Mike Frerichs’ past is filled with the exact same problems he’s claiming he’ll fix in the Treasurer’s office,” Schneider said. “But actions speak louder than words, and Mike Frerichs’ record paints a clearer picture than his campaign promises.”
- First! - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:53 am:
Brilliant. Best ad of the season. People will see this and feel good, providing a great contrast to all the other political ads out there. This is how you break through with a positive message.
- Commander Norton - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:58 am:
It’s undeniably adorable. I like the visuals and the music so much I have no idea what he’s proposing to do with the Treasurer’s Office, but maybe that’s okay. I will say, there’s no way even Mike Frerichs was reaching that cat. The cut-away to him holding the cat made me laugh.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:59 am:
===Best ad of the season.===
Yeah? You take this, I’ll take the Durbin helping wounded soldiers.
Best? C’mon…
=== This is how you break through with a positive message.===
What, that Frerichs is freaky tall, out of place with normal people, trying to fit in to what regular people face?
Yikes.
To the Ad,
It reinforces the only fact @FakeMikeFrerichs hasn’t gotten wrong about his history or record; He’s Tall!
Gentleman’s “C”, but Cross isn’t on TV at this level, at least that I’m aware, up to a “B-”
- Ralph - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 11:59 am:
A joke ad for a joke campaign.
- Standing Tall - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:01 pm:
Solid 8/10. Manages to list his qualifications in a concise, positive, fun way. Down 1 before a million dollar ad buy? Mike Frerichs is the next treasurer for the State of Illinois. Book it.
- Champaign Lady - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:02 pm:
As you critique, please take into consideration that this ad is obviously geared towards women, who happen to vote quite often I hear…
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:04 pm:
Cutesy visuals, including fake cat rescue, (C’mon man!) obliterate the policy stuff on the screen/VO.
F.
- Belle - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:06 pm:
I like tall men. It’s an okay ad. But, I’m not going to vote for him just because he’s tall. Can you tell me something about him besides he is willing to swing by when I need something that is too high for me to reach?
- Easy - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:16 pm:
How many kittens were injured during the filming of this commercial?
- Willie Stark - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:21 pm:
Humorous, attention getting, combined with some bio and accomplishments. Will stand out in a sea of negativity. As one inclined to be harsh, I think this is a good ad. The only real question is, does he have enough $ to put enough points behind it so that people see it?
- Sen. and Mrs. John Blutarsky - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:25 pm:
Well Mike is tall, so he can reach things that are high. And because he’s tall, he also STANDS tall. So THAT makes him tall. Also, I believe, and correct me if I am wrong here, that he’s tall.
D+ and definitely a no bid.
- Anon - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:29 pm:
Will stand out in the crowd, good ad
- Filmmaker Professor - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:31 pm:
“As you critique, please take into consideration that this ad is obviously geared towards women, who happen to vote quite often I hear…”
Yes, because women never vote for a candidate because of issues. they always choose the cute candidate with the cute commercials…
- Chi - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:41 pm:
Sure seems like Frerichs has some friends that read the blog…
It’s a fine ad, made better cause it beats Cross to the airwaves, but nothing outstanding.
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:42 pm:
The backhanded slap at the current Treasurer is kind of funny
- Rayne of Terror - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:42 pm:
My husband is tall (6′ 6″) but not as tall as the senator and the first thing anyone says to him is, you’re tall. When I met Sen Frerichs at the new Champaign Co YMCA I had to refrain from saying, you’re even taller than my husband! I think it’s smart to deal with it in the first ad in a humorous positive way. The only message I took away from it was he’s a CPA & was auditor and that says qualified to me. I liked the upbeat music too. A
- anon - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:45 pm:
Man that guy is opposed with wearing suits to places that no normal person would wear a suit.
- Dancin' Danson - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 12:46 pm:
The ad is just a little worse than OK. Like a C/C-. Never been a fan of whistling personally, and I think the ad somehow manages to convey that Frerichs would make an excellent stock boy.
I get that being tall is his schtick, but it’s starting to look like a crutch.
And if you need a crutch, you ain’t standing tall.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:01 pm:
Willy is right, the Durbin ad is still the best spot of the season, positive or negative, and will likely remain there.
I’ll be honest: I hated the Dan Hynes’ “Heinz Ketchup” ads in 1998. By the time election day rolled around, i was ready to rip my radio out.
But 16 years later, I still remember the ad.
And I am guessing that the critics are partly right, and that the only thing folks will remember from this ad is “Mike Frerichs is tall.”
But if you’re running in a down ballot race, and your first ad gets folks to remember your name, it is a very good ad.
It is also a notably “cheery” ad. And establishing a reputation as “cheery” is a good thing.
I will give it an A-, because Willy is right, it ain’t Durbin.
- Anonymous 20something - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:02 pm:
I am an independent guy. Definitely don’t trust Chicago dems, but not someone who’s voting GOP blindly just because they aren’t Madigan. I think there are good people on both sides.
And I think both of these guys are good people who want to do their best. But from the bits and pieces you see on this race, the Frerichs campaign has looked like an old beat up car you see on the highway that barely runs and could use a paint job if it weren’t more than a heap of scrap metal on wheels.
I mean he stumbled on an issue that an AP government student could have dealt with. And if you can’t run a good campaign, how can you run a large government office where there are many more moving parts and more difficult things to deal with?
I hate to say it but even in spite of a good ad (which I rate a B), I just don’t feel like he’s up to the task.
- Just Saying - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:03 pm:
Decent idea; awkward execution.
- Toure's Latte - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:05 pm:
BOOM! Say hello to our next State Treasurer, Mike Frerichs. A+
- uptown progressive - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:07 pm:
As an ad for people who do not read Capitol Fax, never met Frerichs in person, are always surprised to find a “Treasurer” slot on the ballot - in other words the typical voter - this is an A ad. Here is a nice guy, who has some qualification and wants to do a good job. Vote for me.
- 2 cents - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:07 pm:
I liked it. nice positive message
- Responsa - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:28 pm:
I try to be fair and to be an equal opportunity political ad critiquer because I sincerely enjoy well made political ads. This is a very good ad and it made me smile. I would have given it an A except for the following: the series of mini stories being told with the kids, the cat, the grocery store, etc. were all so charming and compelling and such eye candy that the actual words being spoken about the candidate himself were largely obliterated from the viewers’ consciousness. So we really still don’t know much about Mr. Frerichs’ professional credentials. Since the ballot does not say “cat rescuer” or “really tall man” I think he still has an identity problem to address. so, B.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:37 pm:
Responsa -
I agree with you, folks probably will not remember any of the words on the screen except “Mike Frerichs.”
To me, that’s the best you can really hope for in your first ad out of the gate.
- A guy... - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:43 pm:
It’s a pass. But I’m just sick of this race.
- Namaste - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:46 pm:
When did Frerichs shoot this add?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opTszTjcsJY
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:47 pm:
Sorry, this brought to mind those dopey Enzyte Smiling Bob commercials. I give it a “D”.
- Spliff - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 1:51 pm:
I am glad the four thousand Mike Frerich’s interns are monitoring the blog today. but seriously. It is a B- ad at best. However if he is the only one with a substantial network buy from here till the election he will be Treasurer.
- Beau Joe - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 2:17 pm:
LOVE IT!!
- walker - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 2:27 pm:
B- is about right as an intro
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 2:37 pm:
He just went way up in grading, when the Cross ad lowered the curve…
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 2:37 pm:
He just went way up in grading, when the Cross ad lowered the curve…
- That Guy - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 4:11 pm:
Meanwhile over in Indiana Beth White is running for Secretary of State on the platform that she is short… http://youtu.be/jAahOu8-OFY
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Oct 9, 14 @ 5:32 pm:
Good one That Guy.