Lobbyist Dan McConchie Caught Breaking Election Law
Illegally Coordinated Campaign Activities with PAC and 501c3
BARRINGTON, IL – The McLaughlin campaign has received word that multiple complaints have been filed against lobbyist Dan McConchie, candidate for State Senate, for breaking election laws and illegally coordinating campaign activities with special interest PACs and political nonprofit organizations.
“It’s no surprise that an insider lobbyist would try to skirt the rules for his political gain,” said campaign spokesman Collin Corbett. “Dan McConchie has repeatedly claimed that his lobbyist background would help him play ‘power politics’ in Springfield. Now we see just what he means when he says that. For taxpayers who are sick and tired of paying for corruption in Illinois, Dan McConchie is just another political insider who will do and say anything to get elected. The voters deserve better.”
The initial complaints, the campaign has learned, are over a fake newspaper sent to voters in the 26th District in February by an independent expenditure PAC. This political mailer contained quotes given by the candidate directly to the PAC, clear coordination and a direct violation of Illinois election law.
Complaints were also filed over a property tax forum held yesterday evening. This forum was hosted by the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI), a 501c3 nonprofit, yet in the lead up to the event and at the event itself candidate Dan McConchie promoted the event as his own using IPI resources, was the beneficiary of advertisements for the event paid for by IPI’s tax-exempt funds, and was promoted as a candidate at the event where he gave a campaign speech and attendees were encouraged to support him. Each of these are a violation of Illinois election laws and IPI’s nonprofit status.
