Hastert's Hometown No Longer Bragging About Former U.S. House Speaker
PLANO, Ill. (CBS) -- After leaving court downtown where he was sentenced to 15 months in prison, Hastert rode in a black SUV to his sprawling home in far west suburban Plano.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports Plano's former favorite son is the talk of the town.
The little town of Plano stood in for Smallville during filming of a Superman movie a few years ago. Now with the downfall of Plano's Dennis Hastert, Superman is the last hero standing here.
The afternoon crowd at the Hard Daze Tavern was full of stories Wednesday about Hastert's glory days.
"I got an A+ on my U.S. Constitution test," said Plano resident Mike Tresp. "Everybody got to have lunch with Dennis Hastert as our reward. Our history teacher was friends with Hastert."
When asked today if it feels like an honor, Tresp said, "Not so much."
"I feel ashamed for the community on what Denny Hastert did," said bartender Deanna Allison. "I feel ashamed to be from Plano with what he did."
Hastert's sentencing was topic A at Sherry's Café down the block.
"For all the transgressions he's accused of, life in prison would have been a small amount for him to pay to me," said Ralph Spurlock.
"We used to brag about being from the hometown of Dennis Hastert," said Lee Soloover.
CBS 2's Audrina Bigos reports it's tough to find anyone in Plano celebrating the disgraced politician.
Scott Schroeder says he was "disappointed" in Hastert.
"I thought he was a better person than that," said Schroeder.
"When people are molested, it doesn't go away," said Sherry McKinney. "It lasts a lifetime. So I think that, why should he even be able to breathe?
McKinney says 15 months is not enough.
"Under a train might be enough," she said.
Resident Jody Upp says, "15 months in prison, he's going to have eternity dealing with God."
Of all the residents CBS 2 talked with today, not one would defend Hastert.
