On Monday, Proft appeared before an Illinois State Board of Elections hearing officer, as lawyers discussed whether or not his PAC – People Who Play By The Rules, was illegally coordinating with Darren Bailey’s campaign when he was running for Illinois governor in 2022. As Crain’s Chicago Business reported, Profit appeared at the hearing 15 minutes late, agitated – “plopping” his golf hat on the table.
Bailey campaign officials, including Bailey – are not friends with Proft, or even acquaintances – far from it – but the campaign was in need of money from billionaire donor Richard Uihlein who was funding Proft’s PAC. Uihlein had indicated that he was not going to pour money directly into Bailey’s campaign – instead, he was going to give the money to Proft, whom he trusted. PAC’s must remain independent and they cannot coordinate with campaigns that they are supporting financially.
But as it was revealed on Monday, just one day after Bailey’s primary election victory, Proft requested to meet with Bailey and his campaign manager in a backroom of a Chicago Country Club where he slid over an envelope that he said contained $20 million. And like a scene out of a movie, Proft said Bailey could deposit the check if Bailey would hand control of the campaign over to him. A quid pro quo. |
