THE ILLINOIZE: Monday Free for All...Proft/Bailey complaint dismissed...Burke sentencing...More GOP fallout
June 24, 2024
Good morning, Illinois.
The much loved Chicago-based TV show “The Bear” returns this week. It gives my wife anxiety, but it’s darn good. What’s on your binge list currently? I’ll pop some in the newsletter tomorrow.
Governor Pritzker is at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Maryland.
Let’s get to it.
YOUR MONDAY FREE FOR ALL
(note: we’re not responsible for paywalls and restrictions from other news outlets, because good journalism isn’t free)
Election board ruling reveals loophole in Illinois’ campaign finance laws (Chicago Tribune)
A recent decision by the Illinois State Board of Elections dismissing a complaint stemming from the 2022 governor election has revealed a potentially serious loophole in state law regarding campaign finance and a special type of political action committee.
Board members voted 7-1 earlier this week to dismiss a complaint filed by Democrats against Dan Proft, a right-wing radio talk show host and political operative who ran an independent expenditure PAC, and unsuccessful Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey.
The Democrats alleged Proft and his PAC, named People Who Play By The Rules, coordinated with Bailey and his campaign committee to make spending decisions, in violation of campaign finance reporting rules. Under state law, independent expenditure PACs are not supposed to coordinate electioneering communications “in connection, consultation or concert with or at the request or suggestion of a public official or candidate.”
The board rejected the complaint, in part, because Illinois law does not specifically describe what activities amount to “coordination” that would make illegal the actions of an independent expenditure PAC and the candidate it supports.
“It’s a loophole in one respect for getting out of penalties for engaging in coordination. But it also makes it difficult for candidates and independent expenditure committees to know what they’re supposed to do and what they’re not supposed to do,” said veteran election law attorney Ed Mullen.
Board Vice-Chair Laura Kent Donahue, who served 22 years as a Republican member of the Illinois Senate until 2003, indicated to Mullen that it was up to the legislature to clarify the law, not the board.
Chicago's once-powerful Ed Burke faces sentencing Monday, 'very humbling' days could be ahead (Chicago Sun-Times)
When it’s finally time to sentence the longest-serving Chicago City Council member in history for racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion, federal prosecutors want a judge to send “a simple, undiluted and unequivocal warning” to government officials across the state:
If you follow in the corrupt footsteps of ex-Ald. Edward M. Burke, “You will pay dearly.”
It’s been nearly a decade since an Illinois politician as significant as Burke (14th) faced sentencing at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse. Plenty of lesser Chicago pols have been sent away, though, vexing judges inside the building. They’ve mulled the cost-benefit ratio for “rational” politicians who too often choose greed, graft and power over the public good.
Now, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall, one of the building’s most senior jurists, has a chance to send the loudest message since U.S. District Judge James Zagel gave 14 years to ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Prosecutors want 10 years for Burke.
Burke’s attorneys hope to convince Kendall not to give him any prison time. Not only have prosecutors already made an example out of him that’s led to his “staggering public fall from grace,” they argue in a court filing, but sparing Burke from going to prison “would be a powerful and just expression of mercy for an 80-year-old man in the twilight of his life who has given so much of himself to so many and for so many years.”
Barring such mercy, Burke will be in for a “very humbling” experience in the months to come. That’s according to a former elected official who spent time in prison and agreed to talk about it while asking not to be identified.
Related: Former Illinois lawmaker gets a year in prison for cheating on her taxes (Chicago Sun-Times)
State Republican Party chair quits, Del Mar hopes to fill void (Daily Herald)
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy’s Wednesday resignation bombshell, blaming infighting in the ranks, leaves a leadership gap that could be filled by a suburban contender.
Palatine Republican and former lieutenant governor candidate Aaron Del Mar announced Thursday he will seek the chairman’s job.
“Moving forward, if my peers believe in me and give me the opportunity to lead this party, the Democrats better be ready. I’m no milquetoast,” said Del Mar, a State Central Committee member.
Tracy said his resignation would be effective once a successor is picked, preferably by July 19. The move comes just weeks before the Republican National Convention starts on July 15 in Milwaukee.
Other names that have surfaced as chair are state Sen. Jason Plummer of Edwardsville, who could not be reached for comment, and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives of Wheaton.
Ives said Thursday she would not seek the position and disagreed with contentions the party was in disarray.
Related: Party infighting leads to Illinois GOP chairman stepping down (State Journal-Register)
Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation (Capitol News Illinois)
Editorial: Exit lllinois Republican leader Don Tracy, pushed from stage right (Chicago Tribune)
Editorial: Illinois Republicans need a more centrist message, unity to regain relevancy (Daily Herald)
TOP STORIES LAST WEEK ON THEILLINOIZE.COM
POLITICAL POTPOURRI
Illinois may soon return land the US stole from a Prairie Band Potawatomi chief 175 years ago (Associated Press)
Illinois a blue haven for gender-affirming care, but LGBTQ+ advocates say housing, safety still a concern (Chicago Sun-Times)
Charter school operators file suit seeking to declare state law requiring union neutrality ‘invalid’ (Chicago Tribune)
State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’ (Capitol News Illinois)
Chicago aldermen exploring new city taxes and fees to boost revenue (Chicago Tribune)
Democratic Convention in Chicago will have a prime-time roll call even with Biden already nominated (Chicago Sun-Times)
In bid for young voters, Democrats offer social media influencers access to August convention (Chicago Sun-Times)
Editorial: State Sen. Harris has a clear conflict of interest that should be outlawed (Chicago Sun-Times)
Krishnamoorthi: The burden and beauty of being Asian in America (Chicago Tribune)
West: Pretrial Success Act will help continue progress in Illinois (Rockford Register Star)
Martire: Claims of state budget irresponsibility off the mark (Champaign News-Gazette)
Opinion: New Child Tax Credit is a big deal, but more can be done for middle class families (Daily Herald)
Opinion: Pritzker reveling in his self-appointed role as name-caller-in-chief (Champaign News-Gazette)
Opinion: Lawmaker on DCFS troubles: ‘The price of failure is too high’ (Shaw Media)
Opinion: Millions in federal funds could be headed to area, none from Mary Miller (Champaign News-Gazette)
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"Lost in the woods", pretty much describes the GOP party right now. Your opinion was right on as it relates to who would want such a thankless job as Chairman of the Republican Party in Illinois as it exists today. It has no focus, no viable leadership, and members have imbibed in the MAGA Kool aid.