Zahm screws up the petition challenge in Illinois 14.
Local conservative political operative Jon Zahm, a volunteer on state Sen. Chris Lauzen’s campaign, was one of the two objectors to claim that many of the signatures on Dilger’s petition are invalid, putting him below the minimum amount needed to run for the office.
In a three-page report issued Thursday, Illinois State Board of Elections hearing officer Kelly McCloskey Cherf recommended that the full board reject that objection on a technicality. Cherf stated that the objectors should have identified the specific objection for each signature in an attachment to their objection petition.
From City Barbs in DeKalb
You will recall that Jon Zahm of Maple Park did some work for Victor Wogen’s campaign to become 3rd Ward alderman so he’s a person of interest to me. Zahm is a very busy consultant and it is difficult to keep up with his projects. Fortunately, I am an insomniac.
Goliath Slayer Communications 302 Willow St
P O Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $280.40
3/11/2006 In-Kind Contribution
Friends of Mike Fortner
ICRC [No listing found at ISBOE] Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $250.00
3/24/2006 Individual Contribution
Citizens for Driscoll
IL Center Right Coalition [No listing at ISBOE] PO Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $250.00
3/18/2006 Transfer In
Citizens for Matt Murphy
Illinois Center Right Coalition [No listing found at ISBOE] PO Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $400.00
3/20/2006 Transfer In
Committee to Elect Chris McNeil
Illinois Center Right Coalition [No listing found at ISBOE] P.O. Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $200.00
4/12/2006 Transfer In
Friends for David McAloon
Illinois Center Right Coalition [No listing found at ISBOE] 803 Main
Maple Park, IL 60151 $500.00
3/9/2006 Individual Contribution
Friends of Scott Bludorn
Kane County Conservative Coalition [Jon A Zahm]PO Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $2,404.02
3/19/2006 In-Kind Contribution
Citizens to Elect Kevin Williams
Kane County Conservative Coalition [Jon A Zahm]PO Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $1,085.80
3/19/2006 In-Kind Contribution
Citizens to Elect Kevin Williams
Kane County Conservative Coalition [Jon A Zahm] PO Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $225.00
3/19/2006 In-Kind Contribution
Citizens to Elect Kevin Williams
Kane County Conservative Coalition [Jon A Zahm] PO Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $1,000.00
3/19/2006 In-Kind Contribution
Citizens to Elect Kevin Williams
Zahm, Jon 803 Main St.
Maple Park, IL 60151 $160.00
8/4/2006 Individual Contribution
Family – PAC
Zahm, Jon A. 803 Main St.
Maple Park, IL 60151 $200.00
2/13/2006 Individual Contribution
Citizens to Elect Kevin Williams
All contributions made by ICRC/Illinois Center Right Coalition:
ICRC Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $250.00
3/24/2006 Individual Contribution
Citizens for Driscoll
IL Center Right Coalition PO Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $250.00
3/18/2006 Transfer In
Citizens for Matt Murphy
Illinois Center Right Coalition PO Box 846
West Dundee, IL 60118 $750.00
2/24/2004 Individual Contribution
Wiegand for State Representative Committee
Illinois Center Right Coalition P.O. Box 846
West Dundee, IL 60118 $500.00
3/23/2004 Transfer In
Cook County Republican Leadership Organization, Inc.
Illinois Center Right Coalition PO Box 846
West Dundee, IL 60118 $750.00
2/29/2004 Transfer In
Citizens for Pat Sutarik
Illinois Center Right Coalition PO Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $400.00
3/20/2006 Transfer In
Committee to Elect Chris McNeil
Illinois Center Right Coalition 803 Main
Maple Park, IL 60151 $500.00
3/9/2006 Individual Contribution
Friends of Scott Bludorn
Illinois Center Right Coalition P.O. Box 21
Maple Park, IL 60151 $200.00
4/12/2006 Transfer In
Friends for David McAloon
The contribution total is $3,600.00 made by this coalition for which no ISBOE registration can be found. Oops, wait a minute. There’s a loophole. From the Guide to Campaign Disclosure
II WHO IS COVERED BY THE ACT?
The Illinois Campaign Disclosure Act applies to candidates, individuals, groups of persons or any organizations, political or otherwise, who: have accepted contributions or made expenditures in excess of $3,000 within a 12-month period, in support of or in opposition to (1) a candidate or candidates for public office, or election as ward or township committeeman in Cook County, or (2) any question of public policy to be submitted to the voters; or who have received or made expenditures in excess of $3,000 within a 12-month period for electioneering communication — defined essentially as any form of communication or advertising that refers to a clearly identified candidate, political party, or question of public policy made within the 60-days before a general or consolidated election or 30-days before a primary election. (This applies regardless of whether the candidate, committee or party in question has knowledge of or has consented to the electioneering communication. However, it does not apply to communications exclusively between a labor union or a Section 501(c)(6) organization and its members) Once the
threshold has been reached, the Act requires that the committee file campaign disclosure documents with the State Board of Elections and, if applicable, the County Clerk.
[…]
WHO IS NOT COVERED BY THE ACT?
Individuals running for federal office.
Individuals running for party office, except for candidates for ward or township committeeman inCook County.
Corporations, associations, labor unions, or individuals who make political donations strictly from corporate profits, union treasury, or personal income. If an individual, corporation or labor union solicits funds to support or oppose a candidate or question of public policy, they are covered by the Act.
That’s it, then. They can throw money to whomever they want, as long as they use only the dues money. Even though Jon Zahm and Joe Wiegand are known, paid partisan operatives. Even though ICRC is working to–was essentially organized to–unseat Democratic U.S. Congressmen as well as those considered RINOs (Republicans in name only). Good show. Not.