McHenry County Blog

Ever wonder what happens to what’s in a politician’s campaign fund when he dies?

In the case of the recently deceased McHenry County Board member Rich Klasen, it will apparently go to the Marengo Area School Foundation.

At least that’s where he said he wanted it to go on March 7, 2000.

Section 10 of the State Board of Elections Form D-1 is headed

Disposition of residual funds in the event of dissolution or termination of the committee.

There are three options:

· Return to contributors in amounts not to exceed their individual contribution
· Transfer to another political committee
· Transfer to a charitable organization

The second and their alternatives have a line after them.

Klasen checked the charitable organization box and typed in

Marengo Area School Foundation

As of the end of July, Klasen’s fund contained $3,242.59.

I asked Dr. Ron Rood, Superintendent of Riley Grade School district if a $3,200 contribution would be a large one.

He looked at the foundation’s booklet and told me, “The top donation category is $1,000 up.”

When I asked Foundation President Penny Karsten if she had gotten a check yet, she replied,

I did not. No.

As of last Tuesday, we had not received any funds from his committee.

Foundation Secretary Jackie Loeffel also knew nothing of Klasen’s wishes.

The State Board of Elections was apparently concerned when it did not receive a timely pre-election report from Klasen's committee.

The problem resulted from Klasen’s death and his assumption of both the chairmanship and treasurer positions of his committee when his treasurer moved to Mooresville, North Carolina.

Although Klasen died on September 22nd and his treasurer had turned over the books to Klasen, he had not officially notified the State Board of Elections of his resignation

In a November 13th letter to the Board of Elections, the soon-to-be former treasurer Leonard T. Irlacher wrote this to the State Board:

Prior to moving, I turned over the checking account to Mr. Klasen and he was henceforth taking the responsibility of treasurer upon himself. I talked to Mr. Klasen several times during August and September concerning this report and he stated that he had received the forms in the mail at his home address. This indicated to me that the transfer had been received at your office and that all further correspondence would be sent directly to him.

Unfortunately, Mr. Klasen died unexpectedly on September 22, 2006. Mr. Klasen was not married and did not live with anyone. I am sure that after his death, official papers must have accumulated at his home until on member of his family finally got around to taking care of matters. It was only after I received a telephone call from a McHenry County Board Member and friend of Mr. Klasen, was I award that this report was not submitted. Within a day of that telephone call, I received your letter. Mrs. McCann expressed her concern about any reports that were not filed and wondered if she could file them or would we first have to notify you about the change in personnel making these reports. My phone call to you has shown us the way to proceed.

So I am making this official report to you that I am no longer the treasurer for this committee. Mary McCann (address given below) has the books and paperwork for this committee and she will submit to you the report and/or reports in question. She will also be sending you the final report concerning the distribution of the remaining available finances of this committee. At that time, we will consider this committee terminated.

So, Irlacher turned the committee over to Klasen’s GOP running mate Mary McCann.

On the same day, Irlacher wrote his letter, McCann also wrote the State Board stating that Klasen had died.

She wrote that

a treasurer would be appointed shortly…and funds from the Committee will be dispersed according to Mr. Klasen’s interests and a final filing will occur before the end of 2006.

She signed the letter as “Chairman Citizens for Rich Klasen.”

I called McCann and left a message about the Foundation, including,

I wonder when you are going to write them a check.

No reply had been received when I posted this Monday evening.