Elyse Hoffenberg Kiss Video: Illinois Clerk Accuses Political Rivals of Extortion Over Bridgeview Mayor Clip

Lyons Township Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg, currently running for Cook County Commissioner, has found herself at the center of a political controversy after a surveillance video surfaced showing her being kissed by Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek. Hoffenberg has described the moment as "lighthearted, friendly and non-romantic," insisting it was nothing more than an exchange between colleagues, even as the clip has become a flashpoint in her campaign and triggered allegations of political blackmail from within her own local political circle.

What Hoffenberg Told The Daily Mail

Hoffenberg told the Daily Mail that the kiss became the subject of what she called an "extortion attempt" orchestrated by political opponents. She said she was informed that threats to release the video would be dropped if she withdrew from her campaign. US Education Department Investigates Washington, Colorado School Districts Whether Teacher Forced Same-S*x Kids To Kiss.

In her statement, she said:

"My political opponents attempted to extort me regarding this video, saying they would drop their threats to release it if I end my campaign. I am certain that our community will find this kind of old-school politics of harassment abhorrent, and I won't be bullied. While the video lacks proper context to make it clear what is happening, what it shows is a lighthearted, friendly and non-romantic moment among colleagues. I am staying focused on my campaign to bring strong leadership to this community, and I look forward to continuing this work."

Illinois Township Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg's Kiss With Bridgeview Mayor Sparks Extortion Row Amid Cook County Campaign

Married Illinois lawmaker releases video of her kissing Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek on the lips, says the kiss was just a "non-romantic moment among colleagues."

Lyons Township Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg says she is releasing the video because her "political opponents attempted… pic.twitter.com/T4PGnHXa6v

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 28, 2026

Clerk Calls The Moment 'Inappropriate and Unprofessional'

Speaking separately to Patch, Hoffenberg described the liplock as "inappropriate and unprofessional," even as she maintained that it carried no romantic undertone.

Hoffenberg is married to Jeff Hoffenberg, a managing partner at Chicago based law firm Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC, and a commissioner on the Village of La Grange Plan Commission. The couple are understood to have multiple children together. Illinois Teacher Breaks Down After Being Arrested for Raping Minor Student, Claims She Is Targeted for Being ‘Good-Looking’ (Watch Video).

Republican Liz Gorman Named, Denies Allegations

Hoffenberg has accused Republican Liz Gorman of being behind the leak of the video, and alleged that Lyons Township Supervisor Chris Getty was also involved in the plan.

Gorman has firmly denied the claims. She told the Daily Mail:

"I categorically deny that I extorted Elyse Hoffenberg. I have never spoken with Elyse or anyone from her campaign about this matter, and I have never demanded anything from her in exchange for not releasing or doing anything with the video."

Political Fallout Ahead of Cook County Race

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Hoffenberg, who is in the middle of her campaign for Cook County Commissioner. Neither Landek nor Getty has issued a public statement responding to the allegations so far.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2026 07:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).