Big Trouble for Illinois Senate Leader: A Campaign Money Mess

The Illinois Senate President, Don Harmon, is in hot water.

The Accusation

• Campaign Group Accused: Harmon's campaign group is accused of taking excessive funds.
• Massive Fines: The state's election board claims he owes nearly $10 million in fines.

The Complaint

• Filed By: The Liberty Justice Center, a group that typically supports Republican ideas.
• Reason: The election board is deadlocked, with four Democrats and four Republicans unable to agree on Harmon's fines.

The Legal Battle

• Harmon's Defense: His lawyer argues that the board needs five votes to make a decision official.
• Board's Stance: The board's staff insists Harmon's campaign took over $4 million more than the state allows.

The Origin of the Issue

• Rule Change: Harmon helped create a rule intended to assist non-wealthy candidates.
• Unintended Consequences: Some leaders are now using it to secure unlimited funds.

Harmon's Actions

• Initial Move: Harmon deposited $100,001 into his own campaign, believing it would allow unlimited contributions until the November 2024 election.
• Board's Response: The board rejected this, stating the loophole only applies until the March 2024 primary.

The Election Timeline

• Harmon's Position: He is not running in 2024 but is up for election next year.
• Disagreement: Harmon believes the election cycle runs until his next election, but the board disagrees.

The Future

• Potential Court Involvement: The Liberty Justice Center's complaint could force the court to review the board's actions.
• Unresolved Issue: The situation remains a significant mess with no clear resolution in sight.