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More than a month after the Democratic Party of Illinois elected Congresswoman Robin Kelly as the new chair of the party, her name still does not appear on official organizing documents at the state or federal levels while attorneys seek input from the Federal Election Commission.

The new party leaders did file updated documents to report Michael Dorf had taken over as treasurer, but did not report Kelly’s new role. The curious omission reveals how carefully the Congresswoman’s team is reviewing the fine print in election laws to avoid attracting any scrutiny from federal authorities.

Instead, state campaign records list Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough as the chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Yarbrough took over the role from former chairman Michael Madigan on an interim basis while the party leaders in the State Central Committee staged an election between Kelly and Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris. Kelly narrowly won by one vote, overcoming objections from the Harris camp that a sitting member of Congress could not run a state party and control its fundraising or spending decisions without running afoul of federal campaign finance laws.

Before Kelly was elected, election attorneys at Perkins Coie, a high-powered law firm with several Democratic clients, issued a legal memo warning that members of Congress could not “establish, finance, maintain or control” a state party apparatus without violating FEC guidelines. The memo also warned members of Congress would have to adhere to the stricter federal fundraising limits, capping how much “soft money” the state party could raise from outside groups like labor unions. […]

“The State Central Committee controls two political funds, a federal fund and a state fund,” said Hanah Jubeh, a spokesperson for Rep. Kelly. “We have updated the statements of organization for each fund listing Mike Dorf as treasurer. Vice-chair Karen Yarbrough remains listed as the chairman of our state fund, something that is permitted under the State Central Committee bylaws, while our lawyers review our structure to ensure compliance with all state and federal campaign finance laws.”

Dorf is listed as both treasurer and custodian of records on DPI’s federal disclosure forms.

Since US Rep. Kelly took over, the party has reported just one campaign contribution - $2500 from Health Alliance. It has contributed $25,000 to the Macon County Democrats, $15,000 to the Maine Township Democrats and $1,000 to the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association.

* Meanwhile, the IDCCA seems to be stepping in to handle some of the stuff that one would’ve expected from the reconstituted DPI. For example, this is from yesterday…

One week ago the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association (IDCCA) called upon Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis to give away campaign funds he received from Congressman Matt Gaetz following public reports that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Gaetz for allegedly having sex with and trafficking a minor. Today, IDCCA President Kristina Zahorik released another statement calling on Davis to speak out and give away the dirty money:

“More than a week later Rodney Davis remains silent on his political supporter Matt Gaetz’ alleged criminality. And as Illinois Republican Adam Kinzinger calls for Gaetz to resign, Davis has only made jokes and avoided taking action or a position.”

“Matt Gaetz’s partner in crime is striking a plea deal, prompting his lawyer to say ‘I’m sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable.’ Rodney Davis, the public evidence is mounting: speak out like your colleague and unburden yourself and your district of Matt Gaetz’s dirty money.”

More public revelations of electronic money transfers continue to lead back to Matt Gaetz. Joel Greenberg, a former tax commissioner in Florida and a friend of Gaetz’s, has been reported by CNN to be striking a plea deal in the face of federal charges that range from identity theft to sex trafficking of a minor. Last Thursday, Illinois Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger called for Matt Gaetz to resign.

Rodney Davis has taken $4,000 from Matt Gaetz, starting in 2018 and then again in 2020. On Monday, April 5, 2021, the IDCCA called on Rodney Davis to return the money to Gaetz or give it to charity like one of his colleagues did.

* And speaking of the Republicans…

It was revealed today that the new Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, US Rep. Robin Kelly, gave a February campaign contribution to the reelection campaign of indicted Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta.

WBEZ: “Indicted Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta’s successful re-election campaign got financial support from Congresswoman Robin Kelly — who became the new leader of the Illinois Democratic Party last month.”

“Despite being hit with federal corruption charges in August, Presta won another term as leader of the south suburb in the election a week ago. And in newly filed campaign-finance reports, Presta disclosed that Kelly gave $250 to his political committee on Feb. 12.”

ILGOP Spokesman Joe Hackler issued the following statement in response:

“For over two decades, the DPI was Chaired by political crime boss Mike Madigan, so it’s no surprise his successor Robin Kelly is following his lead in subsidizing public corruption. The people of Illinois are sick and tired of its leaders catering to political grifters and thieves instead of providing honest leadership and good government. Chairman Kelly should apologize for her misguided contribution.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 12:39 pm

Comments

== The people of Illinois are sick and tired of its leaders catering to political grifters and thieves…=

The only thing people are sick and tired of is GOP talking points. Your party is a superminority in both chambers, holds no statewide constitutional offices, no US Senate seats and only a handful of congressional seats.

Comment by Can Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 12:45 pm
What a truly pathetic joke this turned out to be.

I’ve seen this movie, however.

Is this like …

“Let’s say you’re… food and beverage chairman. Next month? A new title”

That way… you can skirt the rules.

Is it that? Sounds like it’s like that.

If Kelly *could be* chairman… Kelly *would be* chairman.

The rest is a bunch of political hack maneuvers to “comply” but “not admit being wrong”.

And here I thought Madigan as Chair was as embarrassing as it got. My bad.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 12:50 pm
Can - Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 12:45 pm:

No dude, I am pretty sure the people of Illinois are sick and tired of its leaders catering to political grifters and thieves.

Did you just move to town?

Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 1:03 pm
=== No dude, I am pretty sure the people of Illinois are sick and tired of its leaders catering to political grifters and thieves.

Did you just move to town?===

How many mayors currently under investigation or worse won their re-election?

Think on that.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 1:09 pm
The Pritzker team should be concerned that Democratic leadership would rather elect a Chair who can’t even be officially listed as Chair than a Pritzker-backed candidate.

Hopefully they figure this out and don’t give the statewide GOP another opening to exploit.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 1:18 pm
=== The Pritzker team should be concerned===

No they shouldn’t. lol

It’s not their mess, the “Pritzker team” just had a fundraiser. They raised $35 million. It was successful,

Let Durbin, et al., figure it out.

Pritzker should let them twist in the wind.

===… that Democratic leadership would rather elect a Chair who can’t even be officially listed as Chair than a Pritzker-backed candidate.===

You think Dem voters are going to be all about Bailey, Schimpf…

C’mon.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 1:23 pm
The Pritzker Team is the one that flagged this issue and they’re the one team in this state that doesn’t need a statewide party to win re-election. They’re fine. Durbin should figure out how he’s going to explain this to all the other candidates that could have benefitted from a real party structure.

Comment by lololololol Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 1:32 pm
“Pritzker should let them twist in the wind.”

Yup. Exactly. The state central was warned. They ignored it. And here we are. So dumb.

Comment by Southern Skeptic Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 2:17 pm
== Did you just move to town?==

LOL, no been here awhile. Tell Governor Bailey I wish him well in his quest to rid Illinois of grifters and thieves. I’m sure Speaker Durkin and President McConchie will give him a lot of assistance in this endeavor.

Comment by Can Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 2:18 pm
Mr/Ms OW
shocked anyone would seek afix accountability to the Senator for this little, Illinois centric issue is far fetched indeed. Next someone will suggested the words Trump Justice Dept. should be used in connection with other developments.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 2:39 pm
=== shocked===

Wasn’t Kelly Durbin’s choice?

I read that often.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 2:46 pm
So…the IL Dem party can’t raise money, needs to rely on another Dem party org to do its political PR and the chair may end up not being the chair. SMDH. How exactly does this help position the party on the heels of a midterm?

Comment by Shytown Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 3:48 pm
The Party’s contribution to Maine Township yielded spectacular results….Dems swept the township races. first time ever. Congrats to Sen. Laura Murphy the Committeeperson.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Apr 13, 21 @ 4:30 pm