West Cook News

In a recent report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections, hearing officer Barbara Goodman concluded that Senate President Don Harmon's campaign violated state campaign finance laws. The report recommends a $9.8 million fine for accepting excessive contributions. Goodman's findings led to a deadlocked vote by the Board on October 21.

The issue revolves around whether Harmon violated state statutes limiting campaign contributions during election cycles. According to Goodman, Harmon’s campaign invoked a self-funding exemption in January 2023 when he loaned his committee $100,001. However, this exemption expired after the March 2024 primary election. Despite receiving explicit notice, Harmon’s campaign continued to accept contributions without filing a new self-funding notification.

Goodman detailed how the committee ignored warnings from the Board's campaign disclosure division. A letter dated March 19, 2025, warned Harmon's campaign about exceeding legal contribution limits and provided a 30-day period to rectify the situation or face penalties. "The Committee failed to comply with the terms of the Division’s March 19, 2025 letter," Goodman noted.

Harmon argued that the self-funding exemption should remain until his next ballot appearance in 2026—a claim dismissed by Goodman. She also rejected his assertion that the state's "election cycle" definition was ambiguous.

Goodman recommended denying Harmon's appeal and upholding the penalties: "Accordingly, it is my recommendation that the appeal be denied and that the assessment of penalties stands." With a deadlocked vote at its October meeting, the fine remains unenforceable for now.

The Illinois State Board of Elections will revisit this matter at its next meeting on November 18.

Information from this article can be found here.