Illinois candidate releases kiss footage, claims blackmail attempt by rivals

In a pre-emptive move, Lyons Township Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg released surveillance footage showing her sharing a brief kiss with Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek inside the township clerk’s office on July 13. Hoffenberg, who is running as a Democrat for Cook County Commissioner, said the gesture was light-hearted and non-romantic, and that she warned Landek it was unprofessional, after which he apologized. She alleges that Republican Liz Gorman, who filed FOIA requests for the video, and Democrat Chris Getty conspired to obtain and threaten to release the clip to coerce her out of the race.

Both Gorman and Getty have denied any blackmail. Hoffenberg, married to attorney Jeff Hoffenberg, asserts the scandal will not affect her campaign and urges voters to reject such harassment tactics. Neither Hoffenberg nor Landek responded to requests for comment.