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Willie Wilson’s foundation hasn’t filed paperwork with IL AG since 2016

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Illinois

* If you search the Illinois attorney general’s charitable trust database (click here) for the Dr. Willie Wilson Foundation, you won’t find anything.

That sometimes doesn’t mean anything because there can occasionally be a data entry backlog or some other glitch. So I reached out to the AG’s office yesterday and asked what was up.

They got back to me just before 4:30 yesterday afternoon with this message: “They are not up to date with us.”

The AG’s office, I’m told, reached out to Wilson’s foundation yesterday, but nobody has called them back.

The last report the AG’s office has, I was told, is for 2016.

It’s unclear what happens next. There could be financial penalties if the foundation doesn’t comply, for example. And the AG’s office could conceivably shut down the foundation.

* From Wilson’s campaign spokesman last night…

The 2017 990 report is on extension and will be filed this week (not due till Nov 15th) to make the foundation up to date

* Meanwhile…

The Attorney General’s office, which is the state agency that oversees charities, said it is looking into the charitable aspects of Wilson’s giveaway.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 9:47 am

Comments

Campaign spokesman is the foundation spokesman too

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 9:58 am
I never understand why people or candidates put themselves out there unless they have all the ducks in a row. It is one thing to have publicity thrust on you unexpectedly quite another to seek it out and not be ready for it. Sort of like the Libertarian running for governor

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 9:58 am
Sounds like Willie’s Foundation doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Most money-laundering schemes don’t.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 9:58 am
Hey Willie, Ken Dunkin is available as a wingman, if you need one.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:00 am
He seems to have enough cash to overcome this burden.

Comment by flea Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:03 am
I can’t wait to see what Ken and Matt from the Board of Elections have to say about this

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:04 am
Perhaps Rauner’s campaign and Darlene Senger are helping Willie’s Foundation find a way to blame it all on someone else.

Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:06 am
AA would probably skip the paperwork for awhile were he handing out cash by the baleful.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:09 am
Rich, this whole thing reeks and I hate to defend Willie Wilson or Governor Skeevy, but I’m confused. The AG spokesman says “They are not up to date with us” but the 2017 990 isn’t due until November. As someone who has run nonprofits and filed 990s, it’s absolutely common to receive an extension and file in November. I’ve done it many times. So that means the 2016 990 is the most recent they would have filed and they are current. I think the AG needs to clarify why they think his foundation is “not current” since their form 990 isn’t due until November 2018.

That said, I think there are plenty of potential violations that should be investigated as to both Rauner and Wilson including vote buying.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:17 am
The potential vote-buying aspect of this is troubling. However looking at it from an alternate, non-political point of view there are going to be non-political poor people who see a guy who handed out cash to the poor and got the book thrown at him. I support enforcing strict election protection standards, however we seem to be coming up upon a point where we’re going overboard and I hope it doesn’t come to that.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:18 am
I don’t think it is a big deal that the 2017 990 hasn’t been filed yet.

What I do think is a big deal is that this foundation only reported $43k in contributions for 2016. So how is the good doctor able to make it rain 6 figures on a Sunday afternoon? And he supposedly has been doing this (with the Guv) for years?

Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:32 am
They knock too hard on this closet door and just wait to see what tumbles out from all sides. This kind of thing is not an anomaly with the unofficial precinct captains in the community (ministers) Might be a few more stories to tell. Tread lightly, this sword swings swiftly both ways. It’s how it’s been done there for more than a week or two….

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:37 am
Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:17 am:

Might want to learn the differences between federal and state government

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 10:41 am
The 2016 990 is publicly available, and claims 2016 is the year of formation, and only really accounts for the bail payouts of $24.5k… does not account previous cash handouts for tax relief or assistance he said the foundation has been doing for years? Bail payments would not be handed in cash at a church to the public at large.

Comment by Anonni Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 11:09 am
Mr. Wilson needs to figure out all the rules fast. Last thing we need is a real humanitarian in jail for helping others. Second to last thing we need in Illinois is a guy buying votes.

Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 12:07 pm
- Chicago Cynic -,

You just reminded me I need have a 990 due next month for an NFP. Thanks.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 12:39 pm
whoops

Comment by what the what Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 2:39 pm
==we seem to be coming up upon a point where we’re going overboard==

Unless I missed something, literally nothing has happened to him.

Comment by LXB Tuesday, Jul 24, 18 @ 3:58 pm