* WCIA TV…

When FBI agents raided the offices of State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero) last month, one of the companies in their crosshairs was Bluff City Materials and its owner, the ‘Asphalt King’ Mike Vondra, according to a now-unredacted search warrant recently released by the state Senate.

Among other clout-heavy gambling companies and energy lobbyists named in the warrant, Bluff City Materials, an asphalt company located in suburban Bartlett, was still seeking political influence in the statehouse as recently as ten days ago.

Even after WBEZ reported federal agents raided the headquarters of Bluff City Materials, the company gave a $5,000 campaign contribution to state Senator Dave Koehler, a Peoria Democrat who sits on the Transportation Committee.

“They donate every year,” Koehler said on Sunday. “They’re a sponsor of my golf outing every year.”

That annual contribution claim checks out. Every year going back to 2013.

* GateHouse…

“If there’s anything found where they’re in any kind of violation, it’s going right to charity,” Koehler said in a phone interview Tuesday morning. ”… We’re not going to fool around with it.”

Vondra is well connected in the asphalt and construction business, and both he and his Bartlett company have donated to both Democrats and Republicans over the years. Koehler said in this case the funds were given as a sponsorship for his annual golf outing on Aug. 12.

Koehler, who serves on the Senate Transportation Committee, also has supported legislation backed by Vondra’s business about the recycling of asphalt shingles, a prospect Koehler has said is more environmentally friendly than throwing them away.

Bluff City Materials’ donation to Koehler this year was its largest this decade, dwarfing $1,250 donations in 2018, 2017 and 2014; $2,500 donations in 2016 and 2015; and $250 in 2013, according to records with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Something not mentioned in either story which is crucially important for context is that Vondra’s recycled asphalt shingles business has a plant in Peoria that’s within Koehler’s Senate district. That’s likely one reason why Koehler has been a big recycled asphalt shingles supporter. As we’ve already discussed, Vondra dominates the RAS industry in Illinois.

It’s pretty common for businesses in somebody’s legislative district, particularly in politically active businesses like asphalt, to contribute to that legislator’s campaign, particularly when said legislator has been a strong supporter of said business. And, unlike Sandoval, Koehler has a pretty sterling reputation around the Statehouse. He’s also received checks of that size or higher from more than 100 contributors during his tenure. It’s not like it was a huge standout dealio or something.

All that being said, this is Illinois, so who the heck really knows for sure anymore. His campaign committee had almost $159K in the bank at the end of the quarter, so he can easily afford to donate that Vondra money to charity.