State Board upholds hearing officer, finds insufficient evidence in complaint against Friends of Kathleen Lorenz

The Illinois State Board of Elections adopted the hearing officer’s findings and General Counsel’s recommendation April 17, finding insufficient evidence to conclude that Friends of Kathleen Lorenz knowingly accepted otherwise-anonymous donations in violation of section 9-25 of the Illinois Election Code.

General Counsel Arnej summarized the lengthy record: the complaint alleged that Heather and Gregory Shepherd made contributions to the McLean County Republican Central Committee (MCRCC) that were routed to Friends of Kathleen Lorenz and that Lorenz knew the contributions were from the Shepherds and accepted them "in the name of another." Arnej recommended judgment for respondents, saying the hearing record did not show the contributions were anonymous or that the respondent knowingly accepted funds in the name of another.

Complainant Michael Matthews urged the board to reject that recommendation, saying the respondent’s public statements and social media indicated knowledge and intent: "I respectfully ask you to reject the recommendation ... and find the respondent responsible for having violated 9 dash 25 of the code." Respondents’ counsel Ross Seckler argued the hearing officer had full record to weigh credibility and that Matthews had not presented additional witnesses or documents. After discussion, a motion to accept the hearing officer's recommendation and General Counsel's advice carried on a roll-call vote, and the board entered judgment for the respondents.

The hearing record included affidavits and social-media posts; the hearing officer found no unrebutted evidence that Lorenz had advanced knowledge of the Shepherds' contributions to MCRCC or that the contributions were anonymous. The board's action disposes of the complaint but does not change statutory text or civil penalties in other matters.