In a letter to the Federal Election Commission, the Illinois Democratic Party acknowledges that its new chair, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, cannot raise money for the party’s main state account because federal fundraising restrictions are stricter than the state’s.
The April 13 letter asks the FEC for an advisory opinion on three proposed governance structures to allow Kelly to hold the title of state Democratic chair. She was elected March 3 by top state Democrats after the resignation of embattled former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
All three scenarios presented to the FEC acknowledge concerns raised in the debate that preceded Kelly’s close 52% to 48% victory over Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th, for the party chairmanship.
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The issue is that federal rules would prevent the eight-year congresswoman from Matteson from having an active role in raising and spending money for state Democrats, though she could perform such duties for a separate account for federal campaigns.
In the letter to the FEC written by the law firm of Holland & Knight, the party said Kelly “would have no role with respect to state account fundraising or spending and would be prevented from exercising oversight or influence over the state account’s management or governance.”
Former state Senate President John Cullerton, a member of the Democratic State Central Committee that elected Kelly, had noted that 83% of the money raised by the state Democratic Party is collected under the looser state restrictions. The Illinois AFL-CIO also expressed concerns about a Kelly chairmanship. Labor is a major Democratic donor.
Under the scenarios presented to the FEC, a special committee or a vice chair would be delegated with fundraising operations for the state campaign account. A third option would simply have Kelly recuse herself from all matters surrounding the state account.
In a statement, Kelly sought to portray the acknowledgment of her federally limited role in party leadership as helping fulfill her pledge “to lead the state party in a more inclusive manner with more voices at the table.”
“As the first woman and first woman of color to chair the Democratic Party of Illinois, and with the involvement of a diverse set of voices across our state, I’m confident we’ll move forward electing Democrats up and down the ballot,” she said.
The state party named veteran election attorney Michael Dorf as chairman of the party’s state campaign account to ensure compliance with election laws. It also asked the FEC for an expedited response to its request.
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