SPRINGFIELD – Yesterday, the Illinois State Board of Elections met to determine what action to take regarding complaints that had been filed against Liberty Principles PAC. Specifically the matters of Jonathan & Clair Kaye & Kenneth Cabay vs Liberty Principles PAC, Inc (“LPPAC”).
Kayes and Cabay had alleged that LPPAC’s production and distribution of newspaper mailings that inform the electorate on the policy positions of various candidates were “fraudulent” and “misleading.” In addition, they alleged that the newspapers were prepared in direct coordination with state representative candidates Allen Skillicorn and current representative Reggie Phillips.
After a closed preliminary hearing on March 3, 2016, a hearing officer determined that there were “justifiable grounds” to allow for a public hearing on the issue of coordination, and the General Counsel for the State Board of Elections concurred with the recommendation on Monday.
However, the Board reversed the hearing officer's determination in a stunning 7-0 unanimous decision (Coffrin abstaining).
In public comments, the Board indicated that there was “not clear guidance” on the issue, and that the question was “better suited to the rule-making process.” In short, the Board ruled that the matter should not proceed to full hearing.
