State Board of Elections Deadlocks on Proposed Record Fine for Harmon
Senate President Don Harmon on the Senate floor earlier this year. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
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Senate President Don Harmon avoided a record fine, at least temporarily, after the Illinois State Board of Elections deadlocked along party lines to fine him nearly $10 million for what were deemed as illegal campaign contributions.
“This committee has funded and made a deliberate action to put the $100,001 into their account to self-fund five times prior to this and I think that shows there was an understanding of the statute as recommended by the hearing officer or a pretty serious mistake was made,” said Board of Elections Chair Laura Kent Donahue, a former Republican State Senator.
Harmon’s attorney, Michael Kasper, threatened to sue if any fine were levied against Harmon.
The four Democrats and four Republicans on the board split on the recommendation from a hearing officer, leaving the resolution of the fine up in the air moving forward.
“We have not had this kind of exact experience with this kind of fine before the board,” said Jordan Andrew, the State Board of Elections Deputy General Counsel.
A Harmon spokesman said succinctly Tuesday “We are pleased with today’s results.”
The fine will be on the Board of Elections agenda in mid-November for further discussion.
