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In a statement released [Thursday, March 15, 2012,] Mike Boland, Democratic candidate for the State Senate in Illinois' 36th District, countered his opponent's accusations.  Said Boland, "Jacobs is running a negative campaign of personal attacks and outright lies, funded by over $200,000 from utilities and big corporate political action committees."

Boland refuted the personal attacks point-by-point as he addressed the issues highlighted in Jacobs' intensive media campaign. "If there is ever any 'Pants on Fire' award," said Boland, "this guy would win it!"

Following are the "Pants on Fire Award" winning statements with Boland's rebuttals passing the "Truth Test."

Jacobs:  Boland has "taken" over $1,000,000 from the taxpayers of Illinois.
Truth Tested:  Mike Boland has earned income of $48,000 to $67,000 annually over the course of 18 years, which includes 16 years as a State Representative and one-and-a-half years retired.

Jacobs:  Boland, as a State Senator, would be "double-dipping," because he would be paid as a Senator and still receive his State pension.
Truth Tested:  Boland's State pension income would cease while receiving pay as a State Senator.  In fact, the salary as a freshman Senator would be substantially LESS than his current pension, Boland noted.  "I want to make a difference and see the entire district have honest, hard-working representation," he said.

Jacobs:  Boland pressured Black Hawk College staff to contribute to his campaign, misusing a State-issued office computer in the process.
Truth Tested:  From the copy of the email presented at the [March 15] News Conference, it's clear that there is no "pressure" in the language, and that it's the typical fundraising piece sent to thousands of people on email lists, available from many campaign services companies.  No State email address was used, which indicates it was sent from a personal computer.  Public election campaign finance reports available from the Federal Election Commission prove that Boland didn't receive ANY contributions from Blackhawk College Trustees, faculty, or staff. Jacobs:  Boland has just helped himself and failed to help Illinois families.
Truth Tested:  Boland's State Representative office helped over 600 families a year fill out requests for "Circuit Breaker" assistance.  His legislation to help our veterans with proceeds from special lottery tickets has served as a model in many other states.  Boland's efforts resulted in taxpayer savings on the State's energy bills, through laws he passed to require energy-efficient lighting, State-owned vehicles, and new construction meeting Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) standards.  His additional legislation banned the State government from spending money on buying goods produced by child labor or political or religious prisoners in foreign countries.  He has won over 35 awards, including those for legislation he passed to protect volunteer firefighters, EMT's, and ambulance drivers from being fired because of lost work time, due to protecting the public.
MORE Truth Tested:  Boland voted AGAINST every political pay raise.  In contrast, Mr. Jacobs has voted FOR every pay raise and has been quoted to say, "I'm worth it!" shortly after his being appointed to the Senate.

Jacobs:  No one touched anyone."  (Jacobs' response to stories that he punched a colleague on the Senate floor.)
Truth Tested:  The 14-page Police Report, found at http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/kwqc/Illinois.pdf details the EXACT opposite, according to a number of legislators present, INCLUDING Jacobs himself.  This event was noted in the New York Times in January (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/us/illinois-public-officials-aid-lobbying-clients-of-family.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&mid=574) and another of our Nation's largest newspapers, the Chicago Tribune last week (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-senate2-20120305,0,2600822.story).

Said Boland, "The public deserves to hear the truth.  Jacobs' campaign is financed by the industries that have benefited from his votes to gut Workers' Comp laws and allow electricity rate hikes without approval from the State watchdog Illinois Commerce Commission.  I want to be a State Senator who represents the PEOPLE in my district and not just corporate interests."