Candidates Explain 'Hanging' Facebook Post Comments

HOMER GLEN, IL — Two Homer Township candidates spoke to Patch Thursday about comments made on a social media post from April 2019. The post includes a black and white picture, which is now blocked by Facebook's sensitivity filters, showing several people being hanged after they were "found guilty in attempt to overthrow Lincoln as president," according to the posted photo.

The original poster then compared those who were found guilty and hanged to current political figures like Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama.

The post was made on a public Facebook group, and Homer Township Trustee candidate Michael Bonomo and Highway Commissioner candidate Brent Porfilio both commented on the post. Both are running with the Homer Township Republican slate.

Bonomo commented that this event "should be held at a Trump rally."

Porfilio wrote, "We need to implement this in today's political landscape."

Patch has received several emails from concerned residents about past social media postings from candidates on the Homer Township Republican slate, including Porfilio's Facebook post about his presence on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Porfilio spoke to Patch earlier this month about his social media postings on Jan. 6.

Porfilio told Patch that he did attend the rally for President Donald Trump that day and was on the grounds of the Capitol building but did not go inside.

"People don't want to hear that, they want to condemn me," he said.

When asked what the candidates would say to voters who find these comments distasteful or concerning, Bonomo said people say stupid things based on the moment.

"You can put my comment in that category of ignorance. Of course, I believe in a democracy and let the best person win," he said.

Porfilio said the picture shows people hanged for treason, which is a serious crime.

"Today, treason against the [President] is still punishable by death. Sentencing for treason is up to the judge and his interpretation of the law and the offense," he said.

He did not give detail on how this would be implemented in today's political landscape.