Campaign Contribution Research
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Transcript of Campaign Contribution Research
Campaign Contribution
ResearchWeek 3 Studio, Option #2
UIC Nonprofits & Civic Engagement – Summer 2013
Elected OfficialMy State Representative:Gregory Harris
Whom he represents:13th District of Illinois
First elected to seat:2006
Worth noting:Openly gay, openly living with HIV; founder of Open Hand Chicago and AIDSWalk Chicago
Following the MoneyTotal raised in 2012: $89,422
Total contributors: 131
Average donation: $682.61
Top 10 donors
1. Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois ($3,500)
2. Aetna ($2,500)3. Comcast ($2,500)4. Aurora Chicago Lakeshore
Hospital ($2,000)5. Citizens for John Cullerton
($2,000)6. Illinois Hospital & Health
Systems Association ($2,000)
7. Illinois Hospital Association ($2,000)
8. Illinois Trial Lawyers Association ($2,000)
9. Robert Kohl ($2,000)10.SEIU Healthcare Illinois
Indiana ($2,000)
Top Donor
Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois
Beer, wine and liquor represent big business in Chicago and across Illinois. According to www.followthemoney.org, the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois has donated $1,095,277 to politicians and political candidates to date. That includes $651,017 to Democrats, $442,260 to Republicans and $2,000 to third-party candidates. Almost 91 percent of the total contributions has gone toward incumbents, while 7.5 percent have gone toward candidates pursuing open seats and 1.6 percent have gone toward challengers.
Connecting the Dots
Political influence is essential to the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois.As an veteran state representative on Chicago’s North Side, Gregory Harris carries political influence. It makes sense that ABDI would support Harris.
Of course, ABDI has a motive for handing out money. The group’s website includes a “Government Guide” that outlines its strategy to its members:
“Few, if any, industries are as highly regulated as the alcoholic beverage industry. Every facet of the industry (from the moment every beer is brewed to the moment that the beer is consumed) is regulated. Laws determine who may sell alcohol, what can be sold, where to sell, when to sell, how to sell, and who can purchase alcohol. Because of government’s role in the alcoholic beverage industry, ABDI’s top priority is to provide Association Members with representation and monitoring of government activities at both the State and Federal levels. ABDI is committed to represent its members’ interests on laws and regulations that affect the malt beverage distribution industry.”
ABDI Government Guide
Connecting the Dots, II
The 13th District of Illinois includes dozens (if not hundreds) of bars and restaurantswith liquor licenses, and it’s in Gregory Harris’ best interests politically to be a friendto the beverage industry. Likewise, it’s in ABDI’s interest to have a political friendsuch as Harris (not to mention many of his colleagues in Springfield).
My conclusion is that ABDIis not advocating for changeso much as trying to maintainthe (highly profitable) status quofor its members.
For Harris, who is focused on marriage equality and other big-picture topics, ABDI’s giftlikely helped him gain re-election and pursue issues unrelated to beer distributors.