Illinois (ECWd) –
Gubernatorial Candidate, Jesse Sullivan’s campaign responded to our questions pertaining to the use of public property for campaign purposes as first exposed in this article.
We sent the following to Candidate Sullivan yesterday:
Mr. Sullivan,
The following link reflects a campaign add which utilizes public property and resources. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gviX3mYqGwo
Are you familiar with Article VIII Section 1 of our State Constitution?
Are you aware use of public property for a private campaign commercial violates Article VIII Section 1 of the State Constitution and may constitute Official Misconduct by the public officials who participated?
We intend on publishing an article on this matter and would appreciate your response and any comment on the matter. We will publish your comment in its entirety, provided it is not a campaign add.
Shortly after receiving what we would consider a campaign add as a response, an updated response was provided.
“I see you’ve already published your story. Please leave as is, we will withdraw our comment.”
Ironically rather than recognizing what appears to be clear violations of law, they boasted on having bipartisan support from law enforcement officials. Sullivan believes too many politicians have ignored the voices of our police and the result is people have suffered from rising crime.
We believe the people suffer when politicians and elected officials use public property to make campaign ads, which the law says is a crime.
The initial response did not address any of the questions we raised. In light of the election law outlined below, we sent two more questions.
“While I wait for an answer to the questions I asked, I have two more.
“Are you familiar with the Election Code in Illinois? Specifically:
(10 ILCS 5/9-25.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-25.1; formerly Ch. 46, pars. 102, 103 and 104)
Sec. 9-25.1. Election interference.
(a) As used in this Section, “public funds” means any funds appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly or by any political subdivision of the State of Illinois.
(b) No public funds shall be used to urge any elector to vote for or against any candidate or proposition, or be appropriated for political or campaign purposes to any candidate or political organization. This Section shall not prohibit the use of public funds for dissemination of factual information relative to any proposition appearing on an election ballot, or for dissemination of information and arguments published and distributed under law in connection with a proposition to amend the Constitution of the State of Illinois.
(c) The first time any person violates any provision of this Section, that person shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Upon the second or any subsequent violation of any provision of this Section, the person violating any provision of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 87-1052.)
Using publicly owned vehicles and fuel for urging electors to vote for a candidate is considered a crime.”
What steps are you taking to hold law enforcement and yourself accountable to what appears to be a clear violation of the law?”
Considering Sullivan is a statewide candidate, we believe a formal complaint to the State Board of Elections is in order. While some will choose to point to this suggestion as being political, rest assured this is about nothing more than holding our political class and elected officials accountable to the very laws they took an oath to uphold.
We are still waiting on a response from the Sheriffs in the video, as they also have a problem in light of what the law says.
If we receive any further response from Sullivan or the Sheriffs we will update accordingly.
9 Comments
Dave Kinert
Posted at 17:02h, 01 AprilAlso what about JB’s new commercial about some airport up north?
Greg G
Posted at 09:46h, 06 AprilI saw that add and wondered if those Rockford Airport employees were “On the Clock” ?
WhoWillWatchTheWatchers
Posted at 10:48h, 01 AprilYou could always start by reaching out to the Bailey campaign and the Clay County Sheriff about why the Sheriff appeared in a campaign video and a “b-roll” video for Mr. Bailey while in uniform a few days ago. You you are going to consider “uniforms” public property he is just as guilty as those who appear in the Sullivan video.
Jack Tarleton
Posted at 17:15h, 31 MarchIt’s not that Sullivan thinks he is above the law– he does not know anything about the law and is not too concerned with learning. The guy is a complete amateur. Governor of the sixth largest state in the Union is not an entry-level job.
kathiann
Posted at 11:40h, 31 MarchSigh. It is my opinion that people in today’s society just don’t really care anymore if they are doing the right thing. Once they see someone else NOT doing it and getting away with it, it’s Katie, bar the door….these attitudes toward the law keep spreading, but it’s REALLY bad when law enforcement does it..
Gerard H Schilling
Posted at 10:38h, 30 MarchAlthough you are correct in what you are saying why is it you only target this candidate in this upcoming primary when both parties have been doing this for years and the present IL administration is doing it currently?
John Kraft
Posted at 12:38h, 30 Marchsend us an example of what “both parties” and the “IL administration” are doing related to using public funds for election interference
Cody L.
Posted at 08:05h, 31 MarchBoth parties have done, it in the past and reprimanded. Just the other day an independent candidate in Mc Donough county was requested to remove an ad because it showed him in uniform. All identifying city patches and county patches were removed but it was still illegal. Most of the time candidates can remove the ad and face no charges (lets be honest class C misdemeanor is less than a slap on the wrist). There are complaints filed every time this happens with local election officials.
JUDY JENKINS
Posted at 10:34h, 30 MarchLooks like Sullivan thinks he’s above the law. I have seen a couple of his old commercials and it was sickening. He talked like a valley girl using the word “like” constantly. Plus he’s backed financially by Rauner. Sick of big money buying candidates for their agenda. Good job dogs!