Candidate complains Illinois county officials violated campaign finance law

[December 07, 2024]  By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – A former county board candidate plans to file an official complaint with the Illinois State Board of Elections alleging McLean County officials violate the Campaign Disclosure Act.

In an email, county board Chair Elizabeth Johnston and county administrator Cassy Taylor have been accused by a former attorney who worked in the State’s Attorney's office, Trevor Sierra, of soliciting and collecting funds for a political action committee established in support of a referendum eliminating the county auditor position.

“On Thursday, September 19, Ms. Taylor stated that fundraising efforts were not satisfactory and asked me to call State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds to inquire whether Circuit Judge Don Knapp or other allies would be willing to contribute to the PAC. Ms. Taylor explicitly stated, ‘If asked about this conversation, I will lie,’” stated the email sent by Sierra to board members.

Chad Berck, who ran against Johnston in this year’s election for county board and was defeated, said without an investigation he can’t deny Johnston could have used the collected funds in her own race against him.

"You know, my family worked hard on this campaign, Randy Knapp [another defeated candidate of Johnston’s] worked hard on his campaign. We don’t know … if these funds intermingled. I can’t find a PAC,” said Berck. “Campaign and elections are vital for the life of this country and we cannot have shenanigans.”

Johnston told The Center Square, “I am supportive of an investigation to determine facts.”

Taylor didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

In a text message conversation between Johnston and Sierra, Sierra urged Johnston to issue a refund because, “the funds were solicited in violation of state law.” Berck explained if the PAC collected less than $5,000, then the committee wouldn’t have to register with the state.

"But you still have to have an Employer Identification Number with the IRS,” said Berck. “And we can’t find one. We can’t find any registration with the Federal Elections Commision or the Illinois elections board. I talked to them [the state elections board], and they don’t have any record of any PAC being created for this [referendum].”

The McLean County Illinois board
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Sierra told The Center Square he did receive a refund.

“All solicitations described herein took place at the Government Center located at 115 E. Washington Street. No promises or threats were made regarding the contributions. I regret my participation in these activities and offer my sincere apologies to County Auditor Michelle Anderson, each of you, and most importantly, the taxpayers of McLean County,” stated Sierra in his original email.

He did not discuss the nature of his employment ending with the states attorney’s office.

"Say you are a maintenance guy for the county and the county administrator and the then vice-chair of the county board is collecting donations, you’re going to put up $100. You won’t hesitate because you want your job. That is using your influence and abusing your leadership position. At State Farm, for example, you, as a boss, go around and collect money for your kid’s baseball team, you will be escorted out. This is unprofessional,” said Berck.

Berck said he’s shocked that amidst the allegations county board members unanimously voted for Johnston to be chair.

On top of filing a complaint with the state board of elections, Berck said he is filing a complaint with the McLean County Ethics Commission, because the alleged incident violates county ethics code.

Johnston confirmed that the appointees to the county ethics commission were recommended by previous chairs, not herself.

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