Liberty Principles PAC

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Liberty Principles PAC was a conservative, Illinois-based super PAC (political action committee). The PAC supported political candidates for state and local offices in Illinois who "are committed to the economic liberty policy agenda."[1] The PAC is an independent expenditure PAC, which means that it cannot coordinate with candidates that supported.[1]

About[]

The chairman and treasurer was Dan Proft.[2] The idea behind Liberty Principles PAC, according to Proft, was to "improve the quality of policy thinking" and "change the balance of power in the Illinois General Assembly."[3]

Political activity[]

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the PAC "has become a chief conduit for allies of Rauner to influence legislative races across the state."[3] Donors include shipping magnate Richard Uihlein and Governor Bruce Rauner. Uihlein is the PAC's largest contributor.[3][4]

Chairman Proft and Richard Uihlein are associated with the Illinois Policy Institute, an economic conservative think tank. The think tank released a documentary in 2016 that criticized the policies of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. It also passed funds to the PAC.[3][4]

In addition to funding candidates in 2016 (the "Economic Liberty Candidates), Liberty Principles PAC was also active in the 2012 and 2014 election cycles.[3]

The Uliens provided over $17 million in funding to the PAC between 2012 and 2020, with more than half of that coming in 2018.[4]

During the 2019 primaries, four of the five candidates the PAC opposed survived their primaries. After the PAC was unable to account for $39,000 in expenses and was out of money, it shut down in 2020.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Liberty Principles PAC – Liberty Principles PAC". www.libertyprinciples.org. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  2. ^ "Liberty Principles PAC". Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (Illinois Sunshine). Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sfondeles, Tina (2016-10-22). "Through Liberty Principles PAC, Dan Proft spreads millions to GOP". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  4. ^ a b c d Pearson, Rick; Petrella, Dan (17 January 2020). "Talk show host Dan Proft shuts down 2 PACs, including one that was once a multimillion-dollar platform to push conservatives". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
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