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Late oppo in 22nd Senate District

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Illinois

* These late hits don’t work as well as they used to, partly because of early voting and partly because people just don’t believe them. But it’s getting some play in Elgin.

However, there may be valid explanations for maybe some of this stuff…

State Senate candidate Steve Caramelli has been suspended several times during his 10-year career as an Illinois state trooper, according to police files obtained via an open records request.

Documented infractions include pornography found on his work computer, pulling his weapon on a hospital valet and chasing a fleeing motorcyclist who fatally crashed, according to records released by the Illinois State Police.

Caramelli, a Hanover Township trustee and Democratic committeeman in Tuesday’s primary against Cristina Castro for the 22nd District seat being vacated by Sen. Mike Noland, has been disciplined at least seven times for incidents since 2007, according to state police records.

The 39-year-old Hoffman Estates resident said he was at one point part of the motorcycle enforcement bureau, a “very targeted unit” that focused on DUI, seat belt, speeding, improper lane usage and reckless driving violations.

“When you’re doing 26 stops a day and you’re writing over 50 tickets, you’re going to come across people who are unhappy,” he said. Caramelli said troopers had quotas and “had to produce volume” in the unit.

Go read the whole thing. This story has the feel of an oppo report plant, but whatevs. It’s gonna leave a mark either way. The question is how deep of a mark it’ll be.

* The race has recently turned ugly…

Neither side has much money, however. Ergo, the apparent oppo plant.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 11:54 am

Comments

Pants on fire has been called!

Comment by Politix Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 11:57 am
I’ve never heard a more cogent political argument than “Liar liar pants on fire”

Comment by Anonymouth Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 12:10 pm
if it’s true, does it matter if it’s oppo research?

Comment by jim Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 12:12 pm
Steve has been Rep. Crespo’s campaign manager.

Comment by anon Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 12:26 pm
Hard to believe there are really reasonable explanations for seven suspensions in 10 years. Read through all the disciplinary findings and you get the picture of a guy who is definitely a hothead.

Comment by Eugene Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 1:00 pm
In my experience, guys like this are “the gift that keeps on giving”. If he would somehow ascend to this position, dollars to doughnuts that “dramatic and interesting” things, all needing labored explanations, will continue to happen.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 1:23 pm
=== Steve has been Rep. Crespo’s campaign manager. ===

Maybe in his own mind.

Comment by Anonymouth Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 1:55 pm
My loose cannon antennae sense a disturbance in the force.

Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 1:58 pm
“Hot Pants Steve” picture looks like he’s breezing down a fashion runway.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 2:34 pm
The story reported in the Chicago Tribune - page 6 and online — is worth reading and speaks volumes! Someone actually died in a chase incident he was disciplined over. Didn’t anyone check his background out!

Comment by Katnis Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Crespo and those he has convinced to back this guy should be embarrassed. Some of us are still not over Farham as a state rep. This toxic candidate has had to explain trying to cheat taxpayers with a homestead exemption violation, now all of these investigations? This is an insulting candidacy.

Comment by Elginite Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 4:04 pm
===Someone actually died in a chase incident===

That person died after the chase ended.

Take a breath.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 4:17 pm
That disciplinary record speaks volumes. 7 sustained complaints in 10 years. Most troopers don’t get 7 complaints their whole career. This guy is a problem who either can’t control himself or doesn’t care about the rules. Those awards listed in the article are a joke as well. They are pretty much given to everyone who was on the job at the time or involved in the detail. None are for individual excellence. And as for the chase being over who do you think you are kidding?

Comment by acop Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 6:09 pm
Actually the gun on the hospital valet sounds the most disconcerting

Comment by Oneman Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 6:25 pm
I don’t have a dog in that fight, but seven suspensions in 10 years…? Whoa…and don’t forget that the Illinois State Police’s disciplinary system uses ‘progressive discipline.’ As in, you don’t ordinarily get suspended before first being reprimanded for something else, I’d imagine. Maybe Bryce Benton can comment on this…? /s

Comment by Independent retiree/lawyer/journalist Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 6:33 pm
So is this loose cannon Crespo’s buddy? And yes, you don’t get suspended right off the bat, you have warnings first. In other words, this guy will likely be fired eventually, and thus needs another job (State Senator isn’t a bad gig).

Comment by Tell the truth Thursday, Mar 10, 16 @ 10:28 pm