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Politicians behaving badly

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* The funniest thing about this story is that Harris claims to be the one who called the cops…

Suburban police officers were to called to a west suburban community center on Wednesday in response to a basketball court fight involving a Democratic candidate for the Illinois legislature who allegedly was “out of control,” according to the police report obtained by The Illinois Observer.

Franklin Park police responded to a call regarding a fight at the Franklin Park Community Center during a basketball game that included ex-Forest Park Commissioner Chris Harris who is running for the Illinois House against incumbent State Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside).

The police report said officers were called to the scene and that community center “employees” allegedly wanted Harris “removed from the property” because he was’ “arguing with the subjects on the basket ball court.”

The report said Harris was allegedly “elbowing” players and that the game’s referee alleged that “Harris was out of control and was asked to leave the game and he refused and bumped the ref intentionally and refused to leave the game even after his team mates ask him to leave.”

The responding officer also “smelled alcohol on Harris’ breath and he was offered a PBT test and refused,” according to the report that also noted that, “Harris was sent on his way.” He was not arrested.

The police report is here.

The not so funny thing about the story is that a candidate was spending his time playing basketball just a few days before the election.

Dude, get a clue.

…Adding… State Senate candidate Bob Fioretti claims to be an adjunct professor at NIU’s law school. Um, no…

Yet the NIU Law School faculty directory does not list Fioretti’s name.

Employment records provided by NIU in response to a Freedom of Information request show that Fioretti was hired to teach a class on State and Local Government for a four month period in the Spring of 2000. For this he was paid a $2,000 honorarium and reimbursed for travel expenses.

In other words, Fioretti taught a single class at NIU 16 years ago, and based on that is claiming that he “remains” a professor today.

* Related…

* Complaints filed against PAC backing Phillips

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:08 pm

Comments

“As State Rep, you can count on me to fight you!”

Ummm, it’s supposed to be ‘fight FOR you’

Comment by Century Club Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:13 pm
Well, they say that candidates have to make the full-court press right before the election. Some take things too literally.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:19 pm
If you’re at a basketball game a week before your election, you’re doing it wrong.

If you are in a fight AT the basketball game before your election, you are not helping… yourself.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:37 pm
“…he was offered a PBT test and refused,”

What’s a PBT test? “Offered?” Makes it sound like he was offered a free ride home or a free lunch. Like the police were doing him a favor.

Give him credit for being smart enough not to incriminate himself if that’s a sobriety test.

Comment by Payback Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Really? Leyden basketball is so tough it requires po-po intervention? How embarrassing, coming from the West Burbs.

If you believe that, I suggest you never step on the courts around Proviso East, Morton, Oak Park or Fenwick.

Nobody gives you the paint, baby. You have to take it.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Coming for our homecoming game every year does not make you a “Visiting Professor,” but nice try.

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:39 pm
===What’s a PBT test?===

I don’t know, but it sounds like he aced the PBR test.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:40 pm
OW’s ubiquitous (and wise) advice is to “Vote accordingly.” The problem there is, I wouldn’t trust most candidates to mow my lawn, let alone run the state government. Look at our choices here in EIU’s backyard. Where is the “None of the Above” check box on the ballot?

Comment by MSIX Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:43 pm
I guess Mr. Harris didn’t get the “How to win an election” book from Speaker Madigan.

Comment by Magic carpet ride Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:49 pm
Voting accordingly also has consequences, lol.

Dear Bob Fioretti,

You taught ONE class. Padding a resume doesn’t mean you just make up stuff..,

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:50 pm
does a PBT = police brutality test?

Comment by the Cardinal Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:52 pm
BPR = Bachelor of Public Relations

Comment by jls Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:52 pm
Probably not a “professor” either. Most part timers are lecturers.

Comment by Liberty Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:54 pm
portable breath tester or pro basketball talk

Comment by jls Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:56 pm
@payback -

Preliminary breath test. They are used primarily by police on the street to determine whether there is probable cause to arrest someone for DUI.

Comment by JoanP Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Well, His campaign literature did say he was a Game-Changer.

Comment by CrazyHorse Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:09 pm
PBR= Peanut Butter and Rauner?

Comment by Big T Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:19 pm
PBT= Peanut Butter and Turnaround.

Comment by Big T Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:23 pm
PBT = Politically Bad Timing

Also, following the Fioretti model I’m already a legislator (student government), a lawyer (mock trial club) and an astronaut (card board box in my living room).

Comment by Century Club Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:32 pm
MSIX - If the Solon has an opponent, vote for him/her. Repeat as needed.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:44 pm
I’ve played in many community center basketball games under the ‘no blood, no foul’ playground rules. You want to argue? Then play better or leave and do not come back. Beer always came later with both teams at a bar or a keg.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:49 pm
Bob claims to be an adjunct professor at NIU’s law school? Come on MAN!!!

Comment by Down State Paul Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:55 pm