Bolingbrook mayor: Hassert Blvd. not named after Dennis Hastert
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (WLS) -- The mayor of Bolingbrook is making it very clear that a street in the southwest suburb is not named after former House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
Mayor Roger Claar posted a photo on Facebook of a new road sign that reads: "Hassert Blvd is named after The Hassert Family NOT Dennis Hastert the former Speaker."
Former State Representative Brent Hassert and his family have a long history of public service in Will County, but they don't have a connection to former House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
"I just hope people will understand it's a different name, a different spelling, different families. We're not related," Hassert said.
Hastert, who lives in southwest suburban Plano, was sentenced to 15 months in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to breaking federal banking rules in a scheme to cover up sexual abuse.
Claar said he received numerous emails and phone calls from people who were confused by the similar names. He said he plans to leave the sign in place until he stops getting complaints.
"My family is very proud of its name, heritage. We just don't want to see it diminished," Hassert said.
There's also a Hassert Boulevard in Naperville. The mayor said by phone that his office has received several calls from people upset about the name as well.
