Tax-Payer Funded Flier Called Campaigning

Cook County Commissioner Edwin Reyes has only been in office for a few months, and now he's being accused of misspending taxpayer's money.

In late December, Reyes sent out a district newsletter to 80,000 of his constituents at a cost to county taxpayers of $22,000.

His Democratic primary opponent says it's nothing but a political ad.

"When I found out this is paid by taxpayer's money, are you kidding me?" Xavier Nogueras said. "And the fact that people received this three weeks before an election, I couldn't believe it."

The four-color, two-page flier features several short articles praising the commissioner’s views and achievements, including the headline: A Champion for Senior Citizens. Reyes is also featured in nine pictures.

"There was no other way for me to reach out and let the constituents of the Eighth District know who I was. I mean, three months there, we're still getting calls asking for my predecessor," Reyes said.

"It puts me at a disadvantage as a candidate," Nogueras said. “It's not fair that somebody who's a sitting commissioner gets to use our tax dollars to get himself elected."

When FOX Chicago showed the flier to campaign reformer Cindi Canary, she commented that it was "heavy on the biography." In these tough times, she questions the need.

"A lot of money is spent on district mailers that really don't provide constituents with that much pertinent information,” Canary said.

Nogueras plans to file a complaint with the Cook County State's Attorney. Commissioner.

Reyes says it's nothing more than politics.