Springfield, IL. (ECWd) –
Illinois State Representative Edward J. Acevedo (D) appears to be electioneering with state funds against Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump.Β
I am alleging that through the introduction of House Resolution 0761, which “Calls upon the Republican Party to publicly denounce Donald Trump for his disgraceful behavior and to distance itself from him in the future“, Acevedo has committed electioneering using public funds, property, or credit in an attempt at affecting the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. Additionally, he is attempting to infringe on Trump’s constitutional right to freedom of speech and association.
HR0761 “Denounce Trump” seeks to pass a resolution that would call on the Republican Party to distance itself from Trump due to certain remarks Acevedo does not appreciate hearing.
Article VIII, Section 1 (a) of the Illinois Constitution specifically states that public funds, property, or credit of this state shall be use only for public purpose. This resolution violates that Article by using public time to research and write the resolution and using public property to place it in the House webpage and by its introduction. Constitutional violations can be used as the predicate for felony offenses.
The State Officials and Employees Ethics Act also prohibits this kind of political activity in Section 5-15, and further classifies prohibited political activities as Class A misdemeanors.
The bottom line is that Acevedo needs to put his big boy pants on and deal with it. This is election season, people have a right to say what is on their mind, and using Illinois Legislative resources to affect election outcomes is a violation of law.
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