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Report: $5 million in campaign funds drawn for personal purposes since 1998 law took effect

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* This sound reasoning is why legislators in 1998 voted to ban people from using their campaign funds as their own personal bank accounts…

Campaign funds, after all, primarily come from money given by special interests who contribute based on a desire to influence those in power. When campaign money is treated as personal funds, then every contribution is a prospective bribe.

A freshman state Senator by the name of Barack Obama was a co-sponsor of that bill and labeled the practice “legalized bribery.” Click here for background.

But since the law took effect on July 1, 1998, they decided to grandfathered in all campaign account balances as of June 30.

Some of the more brazen types took out loans as the deadline approached to beef up their campaign account balances. Not everyone on this list did so for nefarious purposes, however.

* Mark Brown counted at least 55 people who took money out of their campaign accounts for personal use after the law took effect for a total of more than $5 million…

Sen. James Clayborne Jr., D-Belleville (2019) $42,204

Chicago Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th) (2019) $27,789

Sen. Emil Jones, D-Chicago (2014-19) $210,613

Chicago Ald. William J.P. Banks (36th) (2018) $291,708

Sen. Christine Radogno, R-Lemont (2018) $36,157

Rep. Dan Burke, D-Chicago (2016) $94,450

Schiller Park Mayor Anna Montana (2016) $45,534

Cook County Commissioner Bobbie Steele (2016) $28,000

Chicago Ridge President Eugene Siegel (2015) $12,022

Rep. Carolyn Krause, R-Mount Prospect (2011-2014) $55,464

Sen. James DeLeo, D-Chicago (2013) $271,681

Rep. Angelo “Skip” Saviano, R-Elmwood Park (2012-13) $219,093

Sen. George Shadid, D-Edwards (2012-13) $152,546

Rep. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest (2013) $6,444

Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling (2013) $23,232

Mark Morrissey (Comm for Good Govt) (2011) $55,139

Committeeman James Battista (R-36th) (2010) $17,574

Chicago City Clerk James Laski (2008-10) $130,977

Rep. Ralph Capparelli, D-Chicago (2006-10) $583,357

Rep. Margaret Parcells, R-Northfield (2009) $15,671

Harwood Heights Mayor Ray Willas (2009) $25,526

Cook County Cmsr. William Beavers, D-Chicago (2005-09) $87,149

Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle (2009) $50,000

Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch (2008-09). $11,586

DuPage County Judge Cary Pierce (2008) $18,542

Rep. Anne Zickus, R-Palos Hills (2003-08) $18,513

Rep. Robert Bugielski, D-Chicago (2005-07) $15,899

Sen. James “Pate” Philip, R-Wood Dale (2003-06) $274,964

Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood (2006) $72,227

Sen. Kathleen Parker, R-Northbrook (2005) $26,301

Rep. Steve Davis, D-Bethalto (2005) $40,835

Rep. N. Duane Noland, R-Blue Mound (2005) $7,953

Sen. Laura Kent Donahue, R-Quincy (2005) $15,114

Sen. Robert Madigan, R-Lincoln (2001-05) $264,519

Sen. Walter Dudycz, R-Chicago (2004) $136,700

Sen. William Marovitz, D-Chicago (2004) $65,728

Rep. Charles Hartke, D-Teutopolis (2004) $9,100

Sen. Aldo DeAngelis, R-Olympia Fields (2002-04) $194,001

Rep. J. Philip Novak, D-Bradle (2003-04) $99,120

Rep. Bruce Farley, D-Chicago (2003) $53,033

Harvey Mayor Nick Graves (2003) $35,000

McHenry County Sheriff George Hendle (2003) $31,922

Rep. Harold Murphy, D-Markham (2003) $26,987

Sen. Doris Karpiel, R-Carol Stream (2003) $24,153

Rep. Terry Steczo, D-Oak Forest (2003) $15,226

Rep. Vincent Persico, R-Glen Ellyn (2003) $10,000

Comptroller Loleta Didrickson (2000-02) $310,411

Rep. Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan (2002) $150,475

Rep. Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs (2002) $40,000

Sen. Howard Carroll, D-Chicago (2001) $61,841

Cook County Judge Thomas Zafiratos (2001) $39,969

Calumet City Mayor Jerry Genova (2001) $21,163

Melrose Park Mayor C. August Taddeo (2000) $235,723

Sen. William Laurino, D-Chicago (2000) $85,000

Sen. James Rea, D-Christopher (1999-2000) $127,500

Click here for Mark’s take.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:10 am

Comments

A lot of the usual suspects make up the list. Not surprising.

Comment by Chicagonk Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:16 am
Proof you should always be building bigger mouse traps.

Comment by Nagidam Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:20 am
Keep voting the same people in over and over..expect the same. Demand better.

Comment by Timmy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:22 am
Thank you Captain Obvious.

Everyone with critical thinking skills knew this would happen. That was the price of reform. Distasteful as it was, it was necessary.

Now, can we focus on today?

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:27 am
“Nagidam”

One name not on the list is Madigan.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:30 am
===One name not on the list is Madigan===

Mike Madigan hasn’t retired.

But…

===Sen. Robert Madigan, R-Lincoln (2001-05) $264,519===

That’s all I got.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:32 am
Very “bipartisan” list. /s

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:48 am
Hat tip to Caparelli, if you’re going to do it - do it big.

Comment by huh Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:50 am
Since this use exception is not allowed anymore, the new “bad” practice that is becoming commmon is legislators who plan to become lobbyists hoarding campaign cash from contributors that they can use for their own purposes as lobbyists.

Comment by huh Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:52 am
So Mike would be eligible to take $1.4 million, correct?

https://www.elections.il.gov/campaigndisclosure/D2Semiannual.aspx?id=ioU78vrTy9D%2bJm68HCraRA%3d%3d

Comment by OurMagician Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:57 am
=== Mike Madigan hasn’t retired ===

Neither has Jim Durkin.

=== Mark Morrissey (Comm for Good Govt) (2011) $55,139 ===

I think Committee for Good Government wins the Internet today.

Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:58 am
This is an example of why legislator’s should be paid a reasonable salary. Withholding legislator’s pay as Rauner,Quinn and Mendoza suggest is a sophism.

Comment by Klaus VonBulow Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:00 am
==This is an example of why legislator’s should be paid a reasonable salary.== I agree with the condition that the legislature becomes a full time job.

Comment by SpfdNewb Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:06 am
===One name not on the list is Madigan===

===Mike Madigan hasn’t retired.===

Neither has Jim Durkin and he is on the list.

Comment by Anon Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:42 am
===Neither has Jim Durkin and he is on the list===

He gave up his seat to run for US Senate in 2002 and came back in 2006.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:44 am
===He gave up his seat to run for US Senate in 2002 and came back in 2006.===

#InstitutionalKnowledge

To the Post,

At some point this will cycle out to no committees or individuals left that qualify.

That’s the end game.

Granted, we’re 21 years in… but…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:52 am
Sen. Laura Kent Donahue is on the Board of Elections now. Wonder if they will take action to close the loophole. /s

Comment by Worksforme Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 12:11 pm
Curious that Brown presumably did not bother to pepper Durkin with questions about this, considering Durkin is the only active legislator on the list, and a caucus leader at that. Especially since Brown thought it was important enough to point out that almost all took the money after they retired and were “beyond the reach of voters.” Why not ask the one person who is still within voters’ reach?

Comment by John Deere Green Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 1:08 pm