Morrissey campaign files complaint against PBPA, Hughes campaign

Online Staff Report

Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey’s (I) political campaign has filed a complaint against the Rockford Police Union, PBPA No. 6, and mayoral candidate Jim Hughes (D) alleging the PBPA and Hughes have engaged in illegal campaign electioneering involving recent television and radio ads that have attacked Morrissey’s administration.

According to a press release from the Morrissey campaign:

“Under applicable state law, political organizations must identify in an ad the organization responsible for the ad as well as a source for detailed information about the organization responsible for the ad.”

“We’re simply asking for a level playing field,” Morrissey said. “These ads attack me and my administration directly without disclosing the funding source. The PBPA has ‘endorsed’ the ads, but there is no indication whether the PBPA is the actual organization funding the ads.”

The PBPA ads began running in February on both television and radio. The ads have been critical of the Morrissey administration for supporting efforts such as the geopolicing policy, which the PBPA opposes. The Hughes campaign has endorsed these ads on his campaign website and his Facebook page.

While some court decisions have exempted “issues only” campaigns from certain campaign disclosure requirements, an “issues only” campaign cannot identify or attack a specific candidate within 60 days of an election. An “issues only” campaign also must not be connected to an actual candidate.

Morrissey, Hughes and Republican Michael Kleen are running for mayor of Rockford in the Tuesday, April 9, general election.

Posted March 18, 2013