CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson is accusing rival candidate and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle for trying to take credit for work he did on criminal justice reform.

A Preckwinkle spokesman is dismissing the claim, WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports.

Businessman Wilson on Tuesday said it was his support of a bail-reform bill signed last year that brought about a reduction in the number of non-violent suspects held on cash bond, pending their trials.

Preckwinkle has made bail-reform a major issue, but Wilson said Preckwinkle is stealing credit for his accomplishments. Wilson has paid the bonds of some jail detainees. 

Frank Shuftan, spokesman for Preckwinkle, says he doesn’t know what Wilson is talking about, given the county board president’s years of work on the issue.

He said Preckwinkle didn’t support the bill Wilson refers to because it didn’t affect Cook County, where reforms already were underway

Like Wilson, Preckwinkle is running for Chicago mayor. Another mayoral contender, former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, criticized Preckwinkle last week from another angle. He said her efforts have actually resulted in more crime; she disagrees.