GOP House candidate asks for Dem rep to pay for Biden's trip expenses

Vice President Joe Biden came to Chicago this summer ostensibly to meet with some health care professionals for a closed door meeting (transparency?) at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Kathleen McQuery of the Southtown Star takes a closer look at why Biden came to Chicago:

When Vice President Joe Biden flew to Chicago Aug. 20 to raise money for U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-11th), Biden relied on local law enforcement to ensure swift, safe passage.

Police interrupted travel from the airport, cleared city streets, monitored protesters and helped the vice president's motorcade of unmarked squads and the Secret Service snake through Chicago's West Side and South Loop.

While part of his trip could be considered official business, the primary focus was a fundraising luncheon at Custom House for Halvorson, one of the Democratic caucus' most vulnerable freshmen heading into the 2010 election.

A 31-year-old U.S. Air Force pilot seeking the GOP nomination for Halvorson's seat questioned whether taxpayers should be on the hook for the expense

In a press release, Kinzinger said this:

It is absolutely outrageous for Congresswoman Halvorson to expect taxpayers to foot the bill for expenses related to her private, reelection fundraiser. With government, at all levels, strapped for cash, she should do the honorable thing and reimburse the proper governmental departments out of her reelection campaign fund.

Last year, the Kinzinger campaign reports, President Bush came to Illinois to campaign for a Republican House candidate. He handled things much differently:

This is not the first time a candidate was called on to pay for expenses occurred for a political fundraiser. In June 2008, President Bush headlined a political event for then candidate, now Congressman, Aaron Schock of Peoria. The Schock campaign reimbursed the City of Peoria $38,252 for costs incurred by police, fire and public works associated with the political fundraiser.

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, a Republican, is taking this matter seriously:

"I am submitting a Freedom of Information Act request to learn what, if any, Cook County taxpayer funds were used for this political event — and Adam is doing the same with the City of Chicago," said Peraica. "Or, the Daley and Stroger Administrations could do the right thing by proactively disclosing these costs — and demanding full reimbursement by Rep. Halvorson's campaign."

Halvorson did not host any town hall meetings this summer, although she did hold three conference call sessions. Kinzinger organized a few of his own town halls.

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