Dan Proft Invests $4,800 More in Skillicorn State Rep. Campaign

Allen Skillicorn

Allen Skillicorn

Bruce Rauner’s Turnaround Illinois gave $1,818,000 to WIND Talk Show host Dan Proft to use in the upcoming elections.

Richard Uihlein previously contributed $2.5 million.

The vehicle is a Political Action Committee called Liberty Principles.

That PAC has made its contribution to State Rep. candidate Allen Skillicorn after another Proft fund, the Illinois Opportunity Project, dropped $6,000 earlier this month.

Now another $4,831.16 has showed up.

It was an independent expenditure, rather than a contribution.

Cook Media of Ottawa got the money for “graphic design.”

You can see the State Board of Elections report below:

The report of a graphic design expenditure on behalf of Allen Skillicorn.

The report of a graphic design expenditure on behalf of Allen Skillicorn.

For a PAC with so much money, that is is small potatoes.

Here’s the report on a much larger expenditure for State Senate candidate Bryce Benton.

Proft Benton 1-20-16

A large TV buy was made on behalf of Bryce Benton by Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC.

Benton is running against incumbent State Sen. Sam McCann from the Springfield area.

According to Springfield’s State-Journal Register‘s veteran reporter Bernie Schoenburg,

“McCann was the lone Republican in the Senate to vote with Democrats, and against Rauner’s position, when there was a 38-15 vote to override a Rauner veto of a bill that could have sent labor talks with state employee unions to arbitration.”

Skillicorn is facing off against Carolyn Schofield, Paul Serwatka and Dan Wilbrandt.


Comments

Dan Proft Invests $4,800 More in Skillicorn State Rep. Campaign — 16 Comments

  1. I don’t care who gets the $$$$, when it comes from outside the district, it’s wrong.

  2. Any candidate who takes money from the Proft pac will find there are many strings attached if they get elected.

    Vote for Paul Serwatka and then there will be no strings.

  3. Everybody has strings, it’s just a question of how many and who is pulling them.

  4. “Invests” is an interesting word choice.

    When I make an investment, I expect a return in the form of some payment in kind.

    That is to say a return on my principal investment plus something else.

    A “donation” is tantamount to a gift for a specific cause; but an investment comes with anticipation of return of principal plus something else.

    Cal, I think we have an incomplete story here because the reader is left wondering what is the “expected return” on Dan Proft’s investment in this candidate.

    Since it is an investment and not a donation or gift, the voter can only view this money and now the candidate with some suspicion.

    I think “The Nob” and “Cautious Voter” are on to something here . . . .

    Since Dan Proft is a stickler for language as he often lectures his co-host and listeners on his morning radio show, perhaps Dan would like to chime in or the candidate himself as to whether these “ongoing contributions” to his candidacy are meant as a donation or an investment.

    And if it is the latter, could we know for the sake of transparency what Dan expects the return on his investment to be.

    If the return is potentially large enough, perhaps more of us might be inclined to jump in on this investment opportunity.

    Let me go on the record by saying that I know nothing about this candidate and have no opinion about him one way or the other as I have never heard of him except in passing on this blog.

    I must say, as an objective reader, “investment” by a public figure or pac in this or any candidate running for public office sheds in a negative light not only on the candidate himself but the entire electorial process.

    I for one have no problem with “donations” but I do not support the notion that inside/outside money should be used as an “investment” tool for candidates running for public office.

    But then again, I am “Old School”, about 1831 – 1865 (Douglas, Clay, Calhoun, Webster and Lincoln).

  5. Another contentious race is State House Democrat primary in the 5th Representative District in Chicago, described by Dunkin as being from the Gold Coast the Soul Coast (it’s a long skinny irregular district running north south).

    Ken Dunkin (incumbent) v Juliana Stratton.

    Dunkin angered Madigan with his votes on HJRCA 26 (Millionaire Tax), SB 570 (Child Care Assistance Program aka CCAP ), and SB 1229 (mandated arbitration and took away right to strike for state collective bargaining impasses with the decision then shifting from the Governor and union to an arbitrator) in the 99th General Assembly (2015 – 2016).

    Stratton has raised $228,096 to date, mostly from unions.

    Dunkin had $226,000 in his campaign fund as of December 31, 2015.

    —–

    The Primary is Tuesday March 15, 2016.

    —–

    http://www.elections.il.gov > Committees > Search Options > Committee Search >

    Committee ID’s:

    Dunkin: 11436

    Stratton: 25466

    ——

    The Illinois State Board of Elections is in desperate need of transparency reform.

    All the campaign contribution and expenditure data should be available for download to an Excel spreadsheet, one row per entry.

    That would be a huge victory for voters in both parties…it’s a non-partisan issue.

  6. **All the campaign contribution and expenditure data should be available for download to an Excel spreadsheet, one row per entry.**

    Candidates file quarterly reports on all their contributions and expenditures. And that information is all available for download to an Excel spreadsheet.

  7. Oh that’s right one has to go through “Contributions Search” or “Expenditures Search” not “Committee Search” to download to Excel.

    The process needs to be simplified and there should be a hint if you are in “Contributions Search” that if you want to download to Excel visit “Expenditures Search” or “Committee Search.”

    —–

    Here is an example of “Committee Search” (downloads to pdf not excel) (and the conversion from pdf to excel doesn’t place the data in neat rows and columns).

    http://www.elections.il.gov > Committees > Search Options > Committee Search >

    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/D2Quarterly.aspx?id=598787

    —–

    Here is an example of “Contributions Search” to download to Excel.

    Here is where one can download all the contributions to a candidate.

    http://www.isbe.net > Committees > Search Options > Contributions Search > By Committees (tab) > Committee ID (or other input) > Search > Download This List > Tab Delimited Text File > Save File > OK.

    Next open Excel.

    Be sure a new worksheet is open (which it will be unless you were already working on a worksheet).

    Next from Excel go to the directory to which the file was downloaded.

    For example.

    File > Open > Computer > Browse > This PC > Downloads (double click) > (select “All Files” in lower right hand corner of pop up windows) > Receipts.txt > Open > Delimited > Next > Tab > Next > General > Finish.

    (Depending on how the PC is set up downloaded files may be in a different path.)

    The data should populate the spreadsheet.

    Next save the file in the Excel format of your choice.

    In doing so, choose “save as” and save as an Excel format compatible with your spreadsheet such as xls or xlsx.

    Remember to choose a name and directory you can remember.

    Each browser has its own unique way of downloading, saving, and opening internet files such as text files.

    The ISBE process could be simpler, it’s not intuitive enough for many people.

    —–

    Here is an example to download expenditures to Excel using the “Expenditures Search” section of the website.

    This would be the political campaign Expenditures made by the candidate.

    http://www.elections.il.gov > Committees > Search Options > Expenditures Search > by Committees > Committee ID (or other input) > Search > Download This List > Tab Delimited Tex File > Save File > OK.

    Open a new worksheet in Excel.

    Locate file:

    File > Open > Computer > Browse > This PC > Downloads (double click) > select “all files” in lower right hand corner of pop up window > Expenditures.txt > Open > Delimited > Next > Tab > Next > General > Finish.

    Next save the file:

    File > Save As > (Choose a Directory) > (Lower right hand corner of pop up window select “save as type” and select an excel format that is compatible with your version of Excel, if in doubt or if you have an older version of excel try “Excel 97 – 2003 Workbook (*.xls)” or if your version of Excel was more recently purchased try “Excel Workbook (*.xlsx)” > Save.

  8. The process needs to be simplified and if you are in “Committee Search” there should be a note that if you want to download data to Excel visit “Contributions Search” or “Expenditures Search.”

    http://www.elections.state.il.us > Committees > Search Options

  9. If Campaign contributions come for different reasons;

    1. An investment with an expected (or required) future return for personal benefit (financial or other).

    2. An investment with the expected return of forming a government for We the people.
    Serwatka’s campaign would fall into the second category. The other campaigns in D-66 would fall into the first.

  10. **The process needs to be simplified**

    Sigh… so, first, you say that the data should be available.

    Then I point out that the data IS available, and you want it to be simpler.

    All you have to do is hit search, and then there is a link at the top of the search to download it.

    Its pretty darn simple.

  11. The link to download “Contributions Search” and “Expenditures Search” gives the user a choice of downloading data as either text or xml file.

    Once downloading a text or xml file, many people don’t know how to import text or xml files into Excel.

    —-

    There is no explanation in “Committee Search” that data can in fact be downloaded to Excel, and that one has to visit “Contributions Search” and “Expenditure Search” in order to do so.

    There is only an option to download to pdf in “Committee Search.”

  12. Back to the race of the Chicago Democrat State Representative who dares to defy Michael Madigan…Ken Dunkin.

    5th Representative District.

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2016/01/30/88752/#comment-432298

    The race is one of 7 currently listed by the Illinois State Board of Elections “Contributions Limits Off” Search.

    http://www.elections.il.gov > Search Options > Contributions Limit Off Search > 2016 GP (General Primary) > Select > State Representative 5th District

    —-

    The following 4 sidebars put this in perspective.

    Illinois Policy Institute
    For real reform, Illinois should repeal campaign contribution limits
    by Jacob Huebert
    Senior Attorney at Liberty Justice Center
    July 30, 2013
    http://www.illinoispolicy.org/for-real-reform-illinois-should-repeal-campaign-contribution-limits

    “The biggest problem with Illinois’ existing campaign finance law is that it limits how much money a person can give to candidates for state office – but these limits do not apply to political party leaders.

    That means, for example, that House Speaker Mike Madigan can give as much money as he wants to the candidates he prefers, but ordinary citizens can’t.”

    “The Liberty Justice Center has challenged Illinois’ campaign finance limits under the First Amendment in a federal lawsuit, Illinois Liberty PAC v. Madigan.

    http://www.illinoispolicy.org/for-real-reform-illinois-should-repeal-campaign-contribution-limits

    —-

    Liberty Justice Center
    Illinois Liberty PAC v Madigan et al
    http://www.libertyjusticecenter.org/cases/illinois-liberty-pac-v-madigan-et-al

    —-

    Liberty Justice Center
    Liberty Justice Center files lawsuit to challenge constitutionality of Illinois campaign finance law
    July 25, 2012

    “The lawsuit shows that Illinois’ campaign finance law violates the First Amendment and equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

    Under the guise of ‘reform,’ Illinois’ campaign finance law was passed in 2009 and amended earlier
    this month.

    The law places limits on political contributions during a general, statewide election – except when political parties or political leaders make these contributions.”

    http://www.libertyjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Liberty-Justice-Center-files-lawsuit-to-challenge-constitutionality-of-Illinois-campaign-finance-law.pdf

    —-

    Liberty Justice Center
    Liberty Justice Center files amended complaint in Illinois campaign finance case
    May 13, 2013

    “This case challenges Illinois campaign finance law, the Illinois Disclosure and Regulation of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Act, on First Amendment grounds.

    Illinois’ campaign finance law imposes a series of limits on the contributions that individuals, political action committees, and others can make to candidates for state elected office.

    The law also contains some limits on what political parties can contribute to candidates, but these limits only apply in primary elections and are substantially higher than the limits placed on individuals and other speakers.

    Though enacted under the guise of fighting corruption in Illinois politics, Illinois’ campaign finance law actually creates structures that enhance the potential for corruption.”

    http://www.libertyjusticecenter.org/cases/illinois-liberty-pac-v-madigan-et-al/media-2/press-release-amended-complaint

    —–

    7 races are currently listed for the 2016 election cycle as “Contribution Limits Search Off”

    – Circuit Clerk of Cook County (Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court)
    Dorothy Brown, Diane Shapiro, Jacob Meister, Shirley Coleman, and Michelle Harris
    *The Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court is a completely different office than the Cook County Clerk.

    – Judge, Cook County 10th Subcircuit
    Richard Cenar, Michael Malatesta, Stephanie Saltouros, Eve Reilly, Colleen Daly

    – Judge, Cook County 6th Subcircuit
    Richard Cooke

    – State Representative, 114th District
    Bob Romanik, LaToya Greenwood

    – State Representative, 5th District
    Ken Dunkin, Julianna Stratton

    – State Senator, 50th District
    Sam McCann, Bryce Benton

    – States Attorney, Cook County
    Anita Alvarez, Donna More, Kim Foxx

    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/ContributionLimitOffList.aspx?Election=2016+GP

    ——

    Here is how one qualifies for the Contributions Limits Off Club

    There are 3 ways in which contribution limits can be lifted in an election race — as a result of:

    (1) any candidate in the race reaching the Self-Funding threshold ($250,000 for statewide races and $100,000 for all other races);

    (2) independent expenditure spending by an Independent Expenditure Committee exceeding $250,00 (for statewide races) or $100,000 (for all other races); or

    (3) independent expenditure spending by a Natural Person exceeding $250,000 (for statewide races) or $100,000 (for all other races).

    ** Contribution limits may also be lifted if the Board determines that any combination of (2) and (3) above exceeds the threshold.

    In each case, the removal of limits affects all candidates for the same office and lasts through the remainder of the current election cycle.

    In cases of self-funding during a primary election cycle, the limit removal can extend through the following election cycle as well, if the candidate who becomes self-funding wins the primary election.

    for more information on contribution limits, please refer to Section 5/9-8.5 of the Disclosure Act.

    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/ContributionLimitOffElecSelect.aspx

    —–

    More detail:

    Illinois State Board of Elections

    Campaign Disclosure Division

    Illinois Campaign Financing Act

    Contributions Limits

    http://www.elections.il.gov/downloads/campaigndisclosure/pdf/contribution%20limits.pdf

    —–

    Specifics on the individuals triggering the lift.

    Jacob Meister, Democrat (challenger – not incumbent)
    Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court candidate
    Friends of Jacob Meister, Committee ID 31688
    $300,000 Bank Loan Guarantor
    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CDPdfViewer.aspx?FiledDocID=29&DocType=SelfFunding
    http://www.jacobmeister.com

    Eve Reilly, Democrat (incumbent)
    Judge, Cook County 10th Subcircuit candidate
    Committee to Elect Judge Eve Marie Reilly, Committee ID 29520
    $100,000 in aggregate from self/family within 1 year of election
    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CDPdfViewer.aspx?FiledDocID=28&DocType=SelfFunding
    “Her husband, a member of the Painters’ Union Local 607 for 20 years, is currently a member of the Federal Postal Union.”
    http://www.judgereilly.com

    Richard Cooke, Democrat (challenger, was not slated)
    Judge, Cook County 6th Subcircuit candidate
    Committee to Elect Richard C Cooke, Committee ID 30607
    Contributed $500,000 to his campaign.
    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CDPdfViewer.aspx?FiledDocID=26&DocType=SelfFunding
    http://www.cooke2016.com

    Bob Romanik, Republican (challenger, incumbent no running for re-election)
    State Representative 114th District (St. Clair County)
    Committee to Elect Bob Romanik – State Representative, Committee ID 31900
    Contributed $125,000 to his campaign
    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CDPdfViewer.aspx?FiledDocID=30&DocType=SelfFunding
    Hosts a radio talk show “On the Dark Side” on KQQZ 1190 AM, “The Grim Reaper of Radio”
    http://www.facebook.com/bobromanikforstaterep
    http://www.kqqz1190am.com

    Ken Dunkin, Democrat (incumbent not afraid to vote against Madigan’s wishes)
    State Representative 5th District
    “From the Gold Coast to the Soul Coast”
    Received $239,929 from IllinoisGO (Committee ID 29581), an Independent Expenditure PAC affiliated with the Democratic party.
    Friends of Dunkin, Committee ID 11436
    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/IndependentExpenditureDetail.aspx?DisclosureID=19
    http://www.repkendunkin.com

    Bryce Benton, Republican (challenger)
    State Senator, 50th District
    50th district covers entirety of Calhoun, Greene, Morgan, Pike, & Scott Counties, & partially within Jersey, Macoupin, Madison and Sangamon Counties
    Liberty Principles PAC expended $316,960 to Strategic Media Services on his behalf
    Liberty Princples PAC committee ID 24614
    Citizens for Bryce Benton, Committee ID 31881
    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CDPdfViewer.aspx?FiledDocID=62824&DocType=BoardDetermination
    http://www.electbrycebenton.com
    http://www.facebook.com/electbrycebenton

    Donna More, Democrat (challenger)
    Cook County State’s Attorney
    $250,000 Contribution to self via Friends of Donna More, Committee ID 31632
    http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CDPdfViewer.aspx?FiledDocID=27&DocType=SelfFunding
    http://www.voteformore.com

    +++++++

    To Jacob Huebert’s point the majority of these are challengers not incumbents.

  13. I hope Allen gives the Proft PAC’s investment in him a healthy rate of return

  14. Here is an update on how to generate Contribution Reports from the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

    —-

    Here are two types of Contribution Reports one might want to generate.

    1. Contributions made by a particular person, organization, PAC, etc (aka he’s giving how much to whom).

    2. Contributions received by a particular candidate (aka he’s receiving how much from whom).

    ——

    1. Contributions made by a particular person, organization, PAC, etc (aka he’s giving how much to whom).

    Illinois State Board of Elections

    http://www.elections.il.gov > Search Options > Contributions Search > Search > By Committees tab > Committee ID (or other input) > Search > Download This List > Tab Delimited Text File > Save File > OK > Save.

    Open a new worksheet in Excel.

    Then.

    File > Open >

    The next step depends on where one stores files. Many people store files on the hard drive of their PC, so we will go with that. If you store files on an external drive or the cloud the next steps could vary.

    Continuing on.

    File > Open > Computer > Browse > This PC > Downloads >

    The next step can vary as web browsers are configured to download a file to a particular path.

    We will use a common path, it can vary.

    Continuing on.

    File > Open > Computer > Browse > This PC > Downloads (double click) > in the lower right hand corner of the pop up window select “All Files (*.*)” > Receipts.txt > Open > Delimited > Next > Tab > Next > General > Finish.

    The data should populate the spreadsheet.

    Next when saving the Excel file, the format needs to be changed from .txt to .xls or .xlsx.

    Newer versions of Excel accept the .xlsx format.

    Here is how to save the Excel file.

    In Excel.

    File > Save As > (choose your path) > a pop up window will appear > Under “Save as type” click the down arrow and select “Excel Workbook (*.xlsx)” or “Excel 97 – 2003 Workbook (*.xls)” > Save.

    —–

    2. Contributions received by a particular candidate (aka he’s receiving how much from whom).

    Illinois State Board of Elections

    http://www.elections.il.gov > Search Options > Contributions Search > Search > By Candidates tab > Last Name (fill out more fields if desired) > Search > Download this List > Tab-Delimited Text File > Save File > OK > Save.

    File downloads to location configured by web browser.

    Open blank worksheet in Excel.

    Next, in Excel:

    File > Open > Computer > Browse >

    The next step depends on the configuration of the web browser, that is, what is the path to which the web browser downloads files.

    Here is a common path, continuing on from above.

    File > Open > Computer > Browse > This PC > Downloads >

    The next step allows Excel to import the text file, and it depends on one’s version of Excel, or in the case of those that don’t use Excel, the program being used that that accepts Excel files.

    Continuing on.

    File > Open > Computer > Browse > This PC > Downloads > double click on Downloads > in the lower right hand corner of the pop up window click the down arrow and select “All Files (*.*)” > Receipts.txt > Open > Next > Delimited > Next > Tab > Next > General > Finish.

    The data should then appear in the spreadsheet.

    If the data does not appear in the spreadsheet, it could be for a variety of reasons.

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