On Tuesday, the News-Gazette posted a story by Tom Kacich reporting that Champaign Mayor Don Gerard’s campaign had paid a $250 fine to the Illinois State Board of Elections for late reporting of two contributions from Doug Larson during his successful campaign earlier this spring.
Then-Mayor Jerry Schweighart, Gerard’s opponent in the April election, was also cited for a similar offense for late reporting of a contribution from Donald Dodds Real Estate. No mention of this violation was made in the most recent N-G article, so Smile Politely contacted the ISBE to inquire about the status of this offense. The ISBE stated that the fine levied had been stayed because it was the campaign’s first offense. Per ISBE protocol, it would be automatically stayed unless they were to have an offense in the next two years. Since the committee has since been dissolved, no further violations are likely to happen, so there’s an excellent chance that the fine will never be paid.
The Gerard campaign was cited for two violations for the two contributions, resulting in their need to pay the fine.