Normal news in Illinois: Campaign finance irregularities

Cross-posted on Marathon Pundit.

Besides the town of Normal, there is something else that is normal in Illinois: financial funny business among political organizations.

Yes, it's believed that Chicago is the place where the phrase "vote early and often" originated. Of more recent vintage, however, is the 2004 "$10 dollars per vote" scandal perpetrated by the East St. Louis Democratic Party. Five ESL Dems were found guilty last June for taking part in this incentive drive to increase voter turnout. By all accounts, shenanigans like this had been taking place for years there, allegedly free booze and smokes were also given to voters who "voted the right way."

Cal Skinner of McHenry County Blog sent me this tip: According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, the East St. Louis Democratic Party owes the state almost $16,000 in unpaid fines.

The mainstream media has yet to report this news, although I did find this story in the St. Clair Record, a journal covering Metro East legal affairs.