By Illinois Review
Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Danijela Sandberg twice joked about “touching a kid” during a recent podcast appearance while promoting a family-oriented community event.
Sandberg, an elected official in McHenry County, appeared on the Two Gregarious Guys Podcast, where the conversation included crude jokes about male body-part sizes, adult toys and even the infamous “blue dress” at the center of the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky sex scandal.
But the banter took an even more disturbing turn when the conversation shifted to an upcoming “Touch a Truck” event – a family event designed to give children an opportunity to see and interact with trucks and other large vehicles.
During the interview, Sandberg joked about “touching a kid” not once, but twice – first near the beginning of the conversation and again at the end.
In her closing remarks, Sandberg identified herself by her official title before making the comment:
“I am Danijela Sandberg, I am the Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner. Thank you so much Joe for allowing me to have me here. I will be here and harass the sh*t out of you, as much as you want – and touch a kid.”
The remark appeared to catch her co-hosts off guard, prompting visibly surprised reactions. And the fact that the joke surfaced twice makes it harder to dismiss as a single offhand remark.
The comments are particularly jarring given that Sandberg repeatedly identified herself as the Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner while promoting an event geared toward families and children.
For an elected official promoting a family event, repeatedly joking about “touching a kid” raises serious questions about judgment, professionalism and the standards taxpayers should expect from their public officials.
