* Background is here if you need it. Press release…
Illinois State Representatives Mark Batinick, Tom Demmer, Jeff Keicher, Dan Ugaste, Steve Reick, and Grant Wehrli released the following statement related to congressional candidate and State Senator Jim Oberweis’ alleged scheme to circumvent federal election laws:
“As state legislators who represent portions of Illinois’ 14th congressional district, we have chosen to remain neutral in the Republican congressional nomination, but the latest allegations surrounding the questionable fundraising practices by Senator Jim Oberweis are too concerning to ignore. The evidence released by the Rezin campaign appears well documented and corroborated by a State’s Attorney. The improper transfer of campaign funds between Jim Oberweis’ state and federal campaign accounts deserve more of an explanation by the Oberweis campaign. Too much is at stake with this congressional seat playing a crucial role in which party controls the U.S. House next year. We are publicly calling on Jim Oberweis to issue a complete and thorough response addressing each of the points raised by the Rezin campaign and the State’s Attorney.”
* The Tribune’s Rick Pearson looked into this a bit more…
A copy of the most recent state and federal reports filed by Oberweis’ state Senate and congressional campaign show a few instances of overlap.
Oberweis’ state fund wrote a $1,000 check to David Rickert’s bid for Kane County Board chairman on Dec. 10, and Oberweis’ congressional fund got a check for $100 from Rickert on Jan. 15.
In October, DuPage County Board member Robert Larsen of Wheaton wrote a $500 check to Oberweis’ congressional campaign, and Larsen got a $500 check from Oberweis’ state Senate fund in November.
Rob Russell, a candidate for Kane County coroner, got $1,000 from Oberweis’ state fund in October and Russell gave $120 to Oberweis’ congressional fund in January.
*** UPDATE *** From candidate Oberweis…
At the request of a friend in Kendall County, I reached out to Karen Donnelly to talk about helping out her campaign because I was told she was a good conservative candidate and needed some fundraising help. The very day we talked – I mailed her a check.
At no point was there any quid pro quo that Donnelly would contribute to my campaign. I have donated to Republican candidates my entire adult life and the donation to Donnelly was no exception. Certainly, I hoped that at some point she might attend one of my events or contribute to my campaign, but that was never a requirement or a condition for her to receive my contribution. I would not be a good candidate if I did not ask others to help our campaign. It is a shame that something that was done as a favor to help a fellow Republican win has been so greatly distorted. Our campaign has not received any contribution from Donnelly nor was there an expectation then or now that she would contribute though at one point, she did indicate she would consider doing so.
Our campaign continues to gain traction because we are focused on the issues that voters care about – border security, healthcare and taxes. After the primary election, I am looking forward to working with all the Republican elected officials and Republican voters in this district to defeat Lauren Underwood and her political mentor Nancy Pelosi.
- 19th Ward Guy - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 8:50 am:
Thank you House Republicans.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 8:53 am:
If you want to see “cowards personified”, there are now six examples of that.
===“… but the latest allegations surrounding the questionable fundraising practices by Senator Jim Oberweis are too concerning to ignore…”===
Let’s be very crystal clear what phonies these six are;
Oh, they’re “troubled”… but, if voters are cool with voting fir Oberweis, they’re cool with it too, their “neutral”
It’s a vacuum of leadership that’s embarrassingly pathetic that these six feel this “need” to weigh in, but… “please don’t be mad at us for calling it out, we’re neutral”
Not surprising it’s Demmer, but what’s so sad and truly comical
It’s Wehrli, a man who tweets at levels of rabid angst against Auditor Mautino…. simply because it’s a Tuesday. Demmer thinks he’s thoughtful, but thoughtless to being a hollow leader here simply because it’s more important to be neutral than understand the damage Mr. Oberweis has done. Classic Demmer.
So, thanks you six, way to go.
If you’re going to cowardly call out Oberweis, you did it.
Feel better?
- Phenomynous - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 8:55 am:
“Feel better?”
Do you?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 8:56 am:
=== Do you?===
Probably.
Anyone who is neutral when it comes to Trumpkin neutrality while pretending to be leaders, yeah, I probably feel better.
Thanks.
- McHenryMark - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 8:57 am:
This is another reason why Oberweis can be a liability for Republicans in the General. Between this and the myriad of other issues hanging over him, it seems like he’s on his way to be a 0 for 7 milk dud.
- efudd - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:02 am:
From the little I’ve read about Oberweis and his campaigns, “complete and thorough” ain’t exactly what they’re about.
- DeerfieldDash - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:27 am:
Oswego Willy: ===their “neutral”===
*they’re
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:31 am:
Auto-correct will do that.
Maybe ask why the damage Oberweis can cause being the nominee, excluding this very serious scandal that will be following him in the weeks and months upcoming, is still cool for these six, but it’s going to take this type of serious look at monies that has these six “concerned” now.
:)
- Anon - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:35 am:
as a republican, for the good of the party, Jim Oberweis needs to drop out.
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:45 am:
The dollar figures are small, but as we learned from Blago just because you are bad at scheming doesn’t mean you are not trying.
- Annonin - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:49 am:
Anyone else wondering where these mopes were when GovJunk was poison the vets or cashing the poison plant checks or wrecking statewide higher ed.
Now they get jumpy cause ChopperJim does a little money laundering. Common man
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:54 am:
=== Anyone else wondering…===
I did in real time, still call out these folks every time they ignore their own Raunerite past.
It’s ironically silly here that these six are still “neutral” after all that is Jim Oberweis, then this occurs, extremely troubling times ten, and still “neutral”.
When the party decides a reset isn’t just a suggestion but a necessity, then I’ll be far more welcoming.
These allegations against Oberweis will haunt far beyond next week, nominee or not, and yet these six are… concerned.
(Hashtag) Fail
- Tom Willis - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:54 am:
Given the anti-Trump mood and her great public service, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood will win re-election.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:57 am:
Boy, the boys in Kane are sure cheap…
- efudd - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:58 am:
Annonin-
Well, for one thing, Oberweis isn’t their daddy.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:59 am:
I am just curious if after Oberweis loses again if he will finally hang it up or go on to lose even more elections. Is he trying for some type of record heading for the losers hall of fame?
- John Lopez - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 10:21 am:
DuPage Saint: When Oberweis loses, primary or general, once his state senate term is over if not before, I see Oberweis retiring and doing what his wife did 10 years ago and legally transfer his residency to Florida to their $2 million condo they own together.
He’ll be 74 1/2 by then, so why not?
- JuMP - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 10:27 am:
Only 6? I thought the Republican party is the champion of ethics!
- @misterjayem - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 11:36 am:
“I see Oberweis retiring and doing what his wife did 10 years ago and legally transfer his residency to Florida to their $2 million condo they own together.”
And he’ll run for Congress from there.
– MrJM
- Anon - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 11:59 am:
Can someone with a knowledge of the campaign finance laws here explain what Oberweis did incorrectly? The complaint that was filed said a federal candidate can disburse money from a state fund if there is an approved accounting method to show the disbursements track to federal law. Do we know that Oberweis didn’t have the appropriate accounting? Or was the complaint incorrect on the law?
- Shiela - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 12:30 pm:
To be fair, Rep Steve Reick had already fully endorsed Rezin months ago.
Let’s see what the others do when they get no answers from Obie. But time is ticking.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
100:1000 and 120:1000
Not a very good return on his investment. I thought the rate was supposed to be around 500:1000
On the other hand, Robert Larsen seems to have misunderstood the deal as well (500:500).
It would appear that the Oberwies folks are not very good at communication.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 1:09 pm:
=== The complaint that was filed said a federal candidate can disburse money from a state fund if there is an approved accounting method to show the disbursements track to federal law. Do we know that Oberweis didn’t have the appropriate accounting? Or was the complaint incorrect on the law?===
You should note that responses to the complaint focus on the timing of the complaint, not on its merits.
Wonder why that is?
=== Let’s see what the others do when they get no answers from Obie. But time is ticking.===
The phonies are going to do… nothing.
They made a point in the statement they’re stating “neutral”.
After all Oberweis has pulled in his career, now this with finance in his campaign… they’re still “neutral”
Less Mr. Reich, a bunch of phonies that can’t choose sides because of fear.
With respect.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 2:24 pm:
=== It is a shame that something that was done as a favor to help a fellow Republican win has been so greatly distorted.===
Very Trumpian. How so?
“Look how I’m helping. Sure it might be illegal or might be breaking all sorts of rules but I’m helping, so that should matter. It was a perfect contribution, a beautiful contribution… “
The reality is this isn’t going away, and it should be noted Oberweis wants credit for an alleged helping a candidate or the party should supersede any thoughts that it could be wrong in many or other ways.
It’s a better response, but being a “nice guy” isn’t a response to any allegations like these.
Nope.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 4:21 pm:
Rep Oberweis -
Please just go… it’s not amusing anymore.
- John Lopez - Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 5:43 pm:
The Illinois Conservatives PAC has struck Jim Oberweis with its independent expenditures ad.
The group’s website is here, with live link references used in the new ad.
https://illinoisconservativespac.com/