* As you may recall, Tom DeVore is attempting to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) over the assault weapons ban. Cities 929, which was profiled by the Washington Post for its far-right bent, reached out to both DeVore and Caulkins…
“What you can’t do is use campaign money for your own personal legal fees… if you’re gonna spend money on legal fees it has to be associated with your political activities, and this lawsuit that was filed by Mr. Caulkins, in his individual capacity, he can’t use campaign funds and you certainly can’t use that money to pay for some association that doesn’t exist,” said DeVore. “You can give it to Gun Saves Lives and National Rifle Associations because those are non-profit organizations.”
The Illinois Supreme Court recently weighed in on this topic…
The Supreme Court affirmed the Illinois State Board of Elections decision that found Solis’ use of campaign funds to pay legal fees was a proper expenditure “incurred to defray the customary and reasonable expenses of an officeholder in connection with the performance of governmental and public service functions” in accordance with state law.
Rep. Caulkins could probably claim that his lawsuit has a “public service” function. But…
Caulkins filed the lawsuit in his personal capacity outside of his official position and is the lead plaintiff.
* More from the story…
Tom DeVore said six individuals felt misled by Dan and reached out to him and expressed that they were upset that they have been added to an association,Law-Abiding Gun Owners of Macon County,” that they have never heard of. So now, DeVore filed a request in that case for the judge to issue an order saying, ‘We are not members of this association and we are not plaintiffs in this case.’ […]
Caulkins also said his attorney has talked with Tom DeVore and Caulkins offered to pay Tom $5,000 for using his lawsuit arguments in his own lawsuit. Tom said he refused the money.
“He thinks he is smarter than anyone else,” said Caulkins. “We will see him in court.”‘
* The Illinois Freedom Caucus, of which Caulkins is a member, released this statement the other day, which not so subtly sides with Caulkins…
The Illinois Freedom Caucus today is issuing the following statement on the various lawsuits being filed to challenge the weapons ban legislation recently signed into law.
“Illinois, like the federal government, is comprised of three co-equal branches. The Legislative and Executive branch have the ability to enact legislation into law, but it is the job of the courts to be a check on the other two branches and to ensure the laws we have on the books are Constitutional.
To that end, the Illinois Freedom Caucus supports ALL legal challenges to this unconstitutional legislation. We are in unprecedented territory and now is the time to be united. We support and welcome all legal actions that could result in restoring our 2nd Amendment rights and putting our out of control government in check.
We support these lawsuits because upholding our Constitution is paramount. The idea that honest citizens must register their firearms with the state as a condition to exercising their 2nd Amendment rights is unconstitutional on its face. It is imperative for honest citizens to take a stand against this extreme law and that is what exactly what Illinois Freedom Caucus members are doing.”
The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Chris Miller (R-Oakland); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.
…Adding… More from Rep. Caulkins in the full interview…
I’ve tried to stay above board, take the high road. Tom just seems to keep wanting to pound away and pound away. I don’t know whether he misses the spotlight of running for Attorney General. I don’t know what’s wrong. […]
Now, this is a big money-making deal for Tom. He’s made almost $500,000 in the last month or so with these two lawsuits, and soon to be three lawsuits. And I don’t you know, I don’t understand, you know, why he thinks he needs to get involved in mine. […]
I’ve talked to him and I’ve corresponded with him. He is on a rampage. I don’t know why he won’t listen. He talked to our attorney yesterday, called the Attorney General’s Office, he’s making a mess of this. […]
He’s gotten on my Facebook page, and put up things that I think are probably derogatory. Well, they are derogatory. And defamatory? I don’t know, but I’m not interested in that. And I can’t talk to Tom. He has already made it perfectly clear that he’s on his own trail.
- Leap Day William - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 9:59 am:
These guys couldn’t organize a two-car funeral.
- Lake villa township dem pc - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:02 am:
These lawsuits have been a great who’s who on who’s enabling gun runners.
- cermak_rd - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:02 am:
Is this dispute just about who gets the grift?
- Homebody - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:03 am:
@cermak_rd: Pretty much.
- Nagidam - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:04 am:
Comment from this morning’s Open Thread:
===I have been thinking about the differences between a grifter and a shyster. One is definitely a more accurate description.===
Fitting for this dispute.
- The Ford Lawyer - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:04 am:
Circular Firing Squad, lock and load!
- JoanP - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:17 am:
= Caulkins offered to pay Tom $5,000 for using his lawsuit arguments in his own lawsuit. =
What the heck? Nobody owns a legal argument.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:27 am:
$5,000 for intellectual property ?
- Jerry - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:29 am:
Upholding our Constitution is paramount! It’s important that the Militia is regulated, just like it says.
- Moe Berg - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:38 am:
“Let them fight.”
- Mason born - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:41 am:
Here’s hoping they both do enough reputationa damage to each other that they go away.
What’s telling is that while these two ants are puffing up their chests with big talk the suits that matter are quietly proceeding and not sending Facebook solicitations out for $200 donations/retainers.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:47 am:
Let’s you and him fight.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:50 am:
Where’s the third stooge?
- Socially DIstant watcher - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:52 am:
Ok, maybe this is more than the usual clown car incompetence
- Tominchicago - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 10:53 am:
Mason born “Here’s hoping they both do enough reputationa damage to each other that they go away.”
If Devore’s clownish lawyering during Covid didn’t already do that, then nothing will.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:10 am:
Just shows you the opposition to the law has nothing to do with gun rights all all about making money and getting clicks.
- Mason born - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:14 am:
Tom
Darn it, a man can hope!
- H-W - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:18 am:
Grifters and Shysters. Shysters and Grifgters.
There are better ways to serve actual people.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:22 am:
Please pass the popcorn.
- Big Dipper - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:22 am:
==“He thinks he is smarter than anyone else,” said Caulkins.=
He probably is smarter than Caulkins, although that is not saying much.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:24 am:
If debore knows for sure that campaign funds are used to pay for a “lawsuit in his personal capacity outside of his official position”, debore ought to be filing a complaint with the FEC.
All caulkins has to do is produce the canceled retainer checks from his personal checking account.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:24 am:
==We support these lawsuits because upholding our Constitution is paramount.==
Hey Freedom Caucus, does January 6, 2021 ring a bell?
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:32 am:
Show of hands….who believes this cries out for video? Send out Blue Room or Isabel to get these 2 stump jumpers arguin’ about their lit-tee-gay-tions
- Mason born - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:36 am:
Just me 2
It would be false to assume these 2 are representing the serious opposition to the law.
It would be more correct to say these griters saw an opportunity to fleece the low informed while the serious challengers ignore them.
- Big Dipper - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:37 am:
Re the addition, I’m sure the IRS and IDOR perked up when they read $500k in a month.
- Chili - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:45 am:
Meanwhile, IL Dems have all statewide offices, 14/17 congressionals, super majorities in house senate and Supreme Court. But yeah let’s argue about this, Republicans.
- Consider This - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:48 am:
This is exactly what happens when two brilliant Constitutional scholars collide. Throw in the esteemed Mr. Bailey and a couple sheriffs of your choosing and you’ll have something.
- GV - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:58 am:
And a Gov who won the highest vote percentage in the last 28 years, and the votes for Governor in the last 46 years. But hey, look at all those counties Bailey won.
- GV - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 11:58 am:
* most votes
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:00 pm:
“Now, this is a big money-making deal for Tom. He’s made almost $500,000 in the last month or so with these two lawsuits, and soon to be three lawsuits. And I don’t you know, I don’t understand, you know, why he thinks he needs to get involved in mine.”
— Richard ‘Curly’ Hoff sharing Rep. Caulkins’ consternation in KEY LARGO (1948)
– MrJM
- Interim Retiree - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:01 pm:
- Anonymous - And a Gov. who lost 92 out of 102 Counties.
For the 1 millionth time, states do NOT have an electoral college system of voting. 1 person, 1 vote. The Governor won BIG.
- Commissar Gritty - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:04 pm:
Meanwhile, the Tribune’s Editorial Board will probably manage to print the headline to this story as “Democrats in Disarray!”
But two con artists going after each other’s con is good popcorn fodder. I’m here for it, swing away boys.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:06 pm:
=And a Gov. who lost 92 out of 102 Counties.=
2022 ELection results:
Pritzker 2,197,760
Bailey. 1,717,777
Bailey need to win another 92 counties to make up the vote deficit.
- Steve Polite - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:06 pm:
“And a Gov. who lost 92 out of 102 Counties.”
And a Gov. who won reelection. Voters in Illinois elect our Governor. Counties don’t vote.
- Hemi345 - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:08 pm:
IDOR perk up? Not likely they would just close it as a No Liability audit
- Stormsw7706 - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:08 pm:
He’s infringing on my grift. I know it may sound like I’m greedy but there are only so many people for me to exploit. You can place this speech bubble above either man.
- olddog - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:14 pm:
=== And a Gov. who lost 92 out of 102 Counties.===
Tells ya something about population distribution trends since the 1790s, doesn’t it?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:17 pm:
People, don’t respond to anonymous one-off trolls. I eventually delete anonymous comments of all persuasions. You’re just gonna confuse people.
- Steve Polite - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 12:54 pm:
Sorry Rich.
It’s your world boss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01ZeW70BUUs
With Respect.
- G'Kar - Wednesday, Feb 1, 23 @ 4:57 pm:
Devore and Caulkins:
https://tenor.com/view/troutslap-gif-24400969