Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Fact Check Illinois - What is it?

On http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/ is a photo by Cal Skinner of a billboard near the Woodstock office of State Rep. Jack Franks (63rd District).

It reads, "Who does Jack represent? $975,444 from lawyers, labor and lobbyists."

The bottom line on the sign is "PAID FOR BY FACT CHECK ILLINOIS SOURCE: VOTESMART.ORG"

Jack apparently supported a recent bill to sack Metra board members (one of whom is McHenry County's representative on the board, Jack Schaffer) and then forbid fringe benefits to their replacements, and this sign looks to me like payback.

OK, so Jack got almost a $1,000,000 from three groups of supporters. Did he get money from anyone else? I'll bet he did. How much?

Fact Check Illinois is not a corporation registered with the Illinois Secretary of State. What is it? A Google search does not find it.

Does anyone have an idea who is behind Fact Check Illinois and whether it is a legal entity?

Cal's article says Metra board member Jack Schaffer owns Liberty Outdoor Advertising, which controls the content on the billboard location. I haven't seen the sign. Where is it on Route 47?

4 comments:

Ert said...

Try the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Gus said...

Ert, thanks.

Here's what I learned elsewhere:

It was, as you suggested, connected with the State Board of Elections. It was a PAC that was created, and it was discontinued when further use was not anticipated. I understand it might be restored.

Ralph G. said...

www.VOTESMART.ORG seems to be a national organization. Vote smart seems to be an offshoot from them.

Yes Schafer owns Liberty outdoor. Schaffer is so well greased in Springfield it is pathetic. He;s lived off political DO NOTHING jobs that pay VERY EXTREMELY WELL.

Gus said...

Think it's VoteSmart.org or VotesMart.org?

Is that like PetsMart?