CHICAGO – How long can a political candidate’s decision to loan their campaign money allow them to take unlimited donations from donors? As long as four years for a state senator, according to Senate President Don Harmon’s attorney.

The Illinois State Board of Elections had a different take earlier this year when they fined Harmon’s campaign $9.8 million following Chicago Tribune reporting that Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, accepted $4 million more than was allowed during the 2024 election.

The donations in question involve a state law that limits contributions to campaigns during an election cycle. Under the law, a campaign becomes “self-funded” when the candidate puts more than $100,000 into the campaign. Once that happens, the candidate and their opponents are no longer subject to l

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