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Ted Dabrowski’s Illinois governor campaign is under mounting pressure as conservative donors begin to call for the removal of former State Representative Jeanne Ives from her role as advisor and campaign surrogate, following allegations that she leaked a sensitive internal document from Darren Bailey’s 2022 campaign – where she also served as an advisor.
The disclosure has sparked outrage within Republican circles. Just last month, Ives formally endorsed Dabrowski’s candidacy, describing him as the “better option” for Illinois Republicans.
The leaked file – an internal human resources document – concerned a personnel matter that was quietly resolved nearly three years ago. But insiders say the real controversy now centers on how Ives obtained the document and why she chose to weaponize and circulate confidential information from a campaign she once worked on, for political gain.
According to multiple sources, pressure on Dabrowski intensified over the weekend and into Monday morning as several financial backers urged the swift removal of Ives from the campaign. Conservative leaders warned of future lawsuits in response to the leak and its publication.
During Bailey’s 2022 campaign for governor, both Jeanne Ives and conservative media figure Brian Timpone served in advisory roles and had access to confidential campaign information. The two share close ties with Naples-based Chicago radio host Dan Proft, who ran the pro-Bailey political action committee People Who Play By The Rules PAC. The trio are long-time political allies and have collaborated on numerous operations over the years. Dabrowski is also a frequent guest on Proft’s Chicago radio show, which is broadcast from Naples, Florida.
The leaked document surfaced in one of the news outlets operated by Timpone – and formerly owned by Proft – a network that has repeatedly drawn scrutiny. A link to the article, which included the leaked document, also appeared briefly on Wirepoints, the publication Dabrowski previously led as president before stepping down to launch his gubernatorial campaign.
* The document in question (which I’ve seen, but you’ll have to find yourself) is a much more explicit version of what the Chicago Tribune wrote about three years ago…
An internal dispute between Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey’s campaign and a recently departed Bailey political worker has raised questions about the level of involvement the conservative leader of a Bailey-aligned political action committee has had with the Bailey campaign.
At issue is an attempt by Dan Proft, a longtime Republican operative and onetime losing candidate for Illinois governor, to inject himself into a potential legal settlement being sought by Brett Corrigan, a Bailey family friend who worked for the campaign for more than a year before leaving around mid-September. Corrigan’s attorney described his client’s complaint as an “internal HR,” or human resources, matter but didn’t provide any additional details. […]
Corrigan declined to comment and referred all questions to his attorney, Scott Kaspar of Orland Park. Kaspar said Corrigan attended Bailey’s private Full Armor Christian Academy in downstate Louisville, Illinois, and lived with Bailey’s family on their farm in nearby Xenia. Corrigan on the campaign trail served largely as a “body man” for the Republican governor candidate, who is also a state senator, closely following Bailey at events and assisting Bailey as he needed. Since June 2021, state campaign finance records show, he was paid $18,861 by Bailey’s campaign.
But around mid-September, Corrigan left Bailey’s campaign — whether he was fired or left on his own is a matter of dispute, his attorney said. Corrigan now serves a similar role for GOP attorney general candidate Tom DeVore, whose campaign Corrigan joined almost immediately after leaving Bailey’s.
* DeVore himself weighed in today…
JEANNE IVES EXPLOITS A MINOR FOR POLITICAL GAIN
It is one thing to be nasty and vile in politics but it is all together something else when someone intentionally discloses life matters about a minor for their own personal benefit. This is exactly what Jeanne Ives has done, and I can’t in good conscience stay silent about it. Keep in mind that in 2022, Jeanne Ives was all team Bailey. Now in 2026, she is team Dabrowski and calls Darren Bailey a clown. In 2022, Brett Corrigan was just 17 years old. He is a good kid who has faced challenges in his young life that many of you likely couldn’t handle. He’s still learning his way.
If you play any role in the inside baseball of Illinois Republican politics, you have likely seen a private document which appeared to be a draft lawsuit between Brett Corrigan and Darren Bailey. Brett and Darren parted ways late in 2022. They had an internal dispute which was amicably resolved between themselves. The leaked document was orchestrated by Jeanne Ives with the help of Dan Proft and Brian Timpone. The purpose of this leak was clear. It was to try and harm the Bailey/Delmar campaign to benefit the campaign of Ted Dabrowksi. Why would Jeanne and the other two do that? Money of course, for if Ted makes it through the primary there is a perceived payday by these people from the Dabrowski campaign.
I am one of a small handful of people who has direct knowledge of the details of the events of three years ago. Brett worked for my campaign after he left the Bailey campaign and he actually stayed with me for several months during this time. Brett was only 17 years old at the time so quite frankly his personal life is not anyone’s business. I could never in good conscience tell the public anything about this child’s life and for Jeanne Ives and the others to do that is mind boggling. What might be true and what might not be true simply doesn’t matter. No crimes were committed. As with anything in life, there is truth/falsehoods and questionable issues in any situation. None of that matters here, for the much bigger issue is the lack of morals and ethics by Ives, Proft and Timpone which caused this unsigned/draft and private document regarding a minor child to be published.
From an integrity perspective, consider this fact, Jeanne Ives was a party of the Bailey campaign back in 2022. Proft was running a huge PAC for the benefit of the Bailey campaign. Proft and Ives are buddies. Ives had knowledge of events going on inside the campaign. What she was disclosing to Proft and others back then we can’t say for sure, but it is 100% certain she has no caused this internal document to be published, and she would have had no knowledge of its existence if not for having been a trusted advisor back in 2022. When Ives was asked about it recently, she said it’s just politics.
Now, four years later, she has weaponized the knowledge she gained as being a part of the Bailey campaign to try and benefit herself and the Dabrowski campaign. This kind of behavior reeks of the same nasty tactics engaged in by the Richard Irvin campaign back in 2022. It is sickening and it is all being done for financial gain.
If Ted Dabrowski has an ounce of integrity in his body, he will cut all ties with Jeanne Ives, Dan Proft and Brian Timpone. What these people just did to someone who was a minor at the time is inexcusable. Moreover, Jeanne Ives has just disqualified herself from holding any position in the Republican Party. She should resign as a member of the ILGOP immediately.grlleni
From comments…
Heh.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:32 pm
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Years ago, I cringed at the thought of the “circular firing squad” lining up. But this one could be a fun watch.
Comment by fs Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:40 pm
I’m not going to go looking for the document, but I’ll venture that the issue is that Brett Corrigan beat Barren Dailey in a $1.2 million poker game.
Comment by Save Ferris Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:42 pm
Makes my day. Keep up the good work. I wonder who will pay for the special process server to get Proft
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:42 pm
Brings to mind the old saying “no honor among thieves” or the line from Mississippi Burning “the rattlesnakes are committing suicide”.
Both seem apt.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:45 pm
The circle is shrinking…ready…fire…aim?
Comment by Dotnonymous x Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:45 pm
It’s so hard to pick a side to cheer for in this one.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:45 pm
Ives, DeVore, Bailey, Proft — what a bunch.
Dabrowski, and our Republicans generally, would be better off without the lot of them.
Comment by Walker Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:48 pm
== It’s so hard to pick a side to cheer for in this one.==
Taking a cue from the movie War Games, I choose to root for mutually assured destruction
Comment by fs Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:49 pm
So much tasty goodness from such a vile collection of reprobates. I knew nothing about this. Thanks RIch for sharing. Now, I’ll go grab some popcorn and watch.
Comment by New Day Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:51 pm
It was drafted by Scott Kaspar and the Kaspar-owned Illinois Review isn’t disputing that it’s genuine. The “minor” in question is 22 now and went after the Baileys claiming very serious charges.
Rich, this is your site and the prurient details don’t need to be mentioned but the abuse and exploitation and sexual harassment by a candidate for Governor is a big deal aa is Joe Severino’s bankruptcies and grift and Rick Heidner’s past. The battle is fun but the document is DARK.
Comment by The Document Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:57 pm
I haven’t read and haven’t looked for the document, but it seems like a series of bad decisions were made that lead up to whatever was in the document.
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:57 pm
Ives vs Devore -
Welcome to the Thunderdome- It is the law the law- two men enter one man leave.- Tina Turner
Comment by Frida's Boss Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:57 pm
“It’s so hard to pick a side to cheer for in this one.”
Oh, I don’t know… I find it quite easy to be on the ‘lets you and him fight’ side.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:58 pm
Am I the only one who is bothered by the fact that Tom DeVore had a minor in his home alone? That begs as many questions as the allegations from the document.
Comment by CornfieldCowboy Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 1:59 pm
one creep after another.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 2:01 pm
===isn’t disputing that it’s genuine===
I’m not disputing that it’s genuine. I’m wary of allegations made in the context of a threatened lawsuit that was then settled somehow.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 2:03 pm
===I wonder who will pay for the special process server to get Proft===
I will happily contribute to that crowdfunding campaign.
Comment by Irreverent Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 2:07 pm
Pots calling kettles every which way like the Spiderman meme
Comment by In 630 Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 2:12 pm
Does DeVore have to demonstrate good behavior while he is suspended?
Hard to imagine the Illinois Supreme Court or ARDC looking at that “who gives a …” snark and concluding that maybe he is not remorseful and does not intend to conduct himself more professionally when/if the suspension is lifted.
Comment by Lost in Austin Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 2:12 pm
Big money went into their pockets, presumably from “smart” businessmen… who when it comes to politics seem to let the sleaze flow right in.
Comment by 44 Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 2:28 pm
===I’m wary of allegations made in the context of a threatened lawsuit that was then settled somehow.===
Based off of the nature of the coverage, I don’t think there’s a whole lot of benefit to distributing something that might have been illegally obtained that impacts someone who was 17 at the time and is still a very young person now.
I hate that I guess I sort of agree with Tom Devore?
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 2:33 pm
“Let’s you and him fight.”
Please pass the popcorn.
Comment by JoanP Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 2:49 pm
Candy Dogood: Isn’t Bailey a public figure? Isn’t there a higher standard for those looking to be Governor of our state? Shouldn’t he be asked about allegations that he falsely imprisoned a teenager or contributed towards his sexual harassment? And what about this “settlement”? I’m sure the dems on this blog would love to sit on those questions until the general election.
Comment by Character&Fitness Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 3:00 pm
I see that Kirk Allen of the Edgar County Watchdogs is now also beefing with DeVore in the Facebook thread.
That thread is turning into an IL MAGA Wrestlemania.
Comment by Macoupin Manny Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 3:02 pm
== “Isn’t there a higher standard for those looking to be [a Republican anything]?” ==
No.
Comment by Glock21 Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 3:29 pm
What’s amazing about all of this is they aren’t fighting over power, but who gets to grift a dwindling group of donors.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 3:56 pm
If true, Ives’ behavior is a long way from the Honor Code at West Point …
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Oct 20, 25 @ 4:03 pm