Will County Coroner Has Sights On Higher Office December 08, 1987|By Rob Karwath. Robert Tezak, a multimillionaire and one of the most influential Republicans in Will County, won`t seek re-election as county coroner, the low- profile public job he has held for 11 years. Tezak decided not to run so he could put out feelers for a lieutenant governor candidacy in 1990 and devote more time to his businesses, which include two Joliet radio stations and a company that markets the highly successful card game ``Uno,`` political associates said Monday. ``He has his sights set on higher office, and sooner or later he had to cut the cord on something like coroner,`` said John Annerino, chairman of the Will County Board and head of the county Republican organization. Tezak made his announcement in a letter mailed late last week to Will County`s 265 Republican committeemen, said Richard Kavanagh, secretary of the Republican Party. Tezak could not be reached Monday. His withdrawal comes as the county Republican Party is under attack for the business dealings of some of its members and biggest contributors, including a 1986 decision by the Will County Private Industry Council to move to a new headquarters in downtown Joliet for substantially higher rent. The council relocated to a building owned by John Bays, a Joliet car dealer, a partner with Tezak in other business deals and a heavy contributor to Republican candidates. A fire at the building early Friday destroyed records that had been subpoenaed by the Internal Revenue Service as part of a federal investigation. The Illinois State Fire Marshal`s Office is investigating the fire. Will County Democrats said they weren`t surprised by Tezak`s decision. Rumors that he wouldn`t run again had been circulating for weeks, officials said. They said Tezak`s withdrawal won`t change the structure of the county Republican Party. ``People in the community know who`s running the show, and I don`t think they`ll be fooled by his withdrawal,`` said former State Sen. George Sangmeister, a Democratic candidate for the 4th District congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Jack Davis (R., Ill.). Speaking of the controversy that has followed Tezak for his business dealings, Sangmeister said, ``One can only speculate that Mr. Tezak had become too hot a property for the party. His decision undoubtedly was made so that they could attempt to remove that liability for the rest of the slated members of the party.`` Annerino said, however, that the attacks on Tezak have been without merit. ``A small faction in Joliet has and always will resent people who succeed,`` he said. ``Bob has put more back into the community than most. He`s put millions back into the community.`` Tezak, 39, is president of International Games Inc., of Joliet, which marketed the Uno card game. Last spring, Tezak bought Joliet radio stations WJOL-AM and WLLI-FM, along with two stations in Topeka, Kan. The candidates who lined up to replace Tezak said the timing of the announcement surprised them. Tezak had been slated for re-election and held a fundraiser. Monday was the first day for candidates statewide to file for the March 15 primary. ``I was really surprised,`` said Dr. August ``Gus`` Martinucci, a Joliet physician and a Republican candidate for coroner. Martinucci said he ``made inquiries`` last summer about running for coroner if Tezak wasn`t interested but was told Tezak planned to run. Martinucci and Jon Dames, a Joliet funeral director, filed nominating petitions with the Will County clerk Monday. Eleanor McGuan-Boza, another Republican, and Duane Krieger, a Democrat, said they intended to do so.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 00:27:05 +0000
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