Follow-up story: https://blnnews.com/2024/11/30/why-did-lizzy-refund-a-contribution/
By: Diane Benjamin
The email below was written by a former employee of the McLean County State’s Attorney. Soliciting funds for any political purpose is illegal if it was done at or on government property. If anyone has WRITTEN proof of that please forward it to me: blnnews@blnnews.com
Honorable Members of the McLean County Board and County Auditor Michelle Anderson:
I regret to inform you of unethical conduct arising from the Office of the County Administrator over the course of the last three months. After the County Board adopted a referendum to eliminate the office of McLean County Auditor, Ms. Taylor used her position as County Administrator to orchestrate political activities intended to promote the passage of the referendum. Such political activity includes the solicitation of funds from County employees for a political action committee established to support the referendum.
On or about Thursday, September 5, 2024, Ms. Taylor first approached me on the subject of making such a personal donation. She stated that County Board member Elizabeth Johnston would be coming through the County Administrator’s office to collect donations from any employees who desired to contribute. She stated that the political action committee rules allowed for cash donations of up to $149 per person, or $298 per couple without any names being published.
Ms. Taylor asked for a second time about a donation on or about Tuesday, September 10th reminding me and other staff members in the Administrator’s Office that Ms. Johnston would be coming through the office to pickup donations later that week. My recollection is that Assistant County Administrator Cathy Dreyer was on vacation in Mexico, but Ms. Taylor called and offered to make a cash contribution on behalf of Ms. Dreyer which could be repaid upon Ms. Dreyer’s return. About two days thereafter, I provided Ms. Johnston with a cash envelope containing approximately $298 on behalf of myself and my spouse.
On Thursday, September 19, Ms. Taylor stated that fundraising efforts were not satisfactory and asked me to call State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds to inquire whether Circuit Judge Don Knapp or other allies would be willing to contribute to the PAC. Ms. Taylor explicitly stated, “If asked about this conversation, I will lie.” I called Ms. Reynolds that same day, Thursday, September 19, per Ms. Taylor’s request. Ms. Reynolds had questions regarding the PAC that I could not answer, so she asked me to ask Ms. Johnston for a contact. I provided Ms. Reynolds with a name and telephone number that had been provided to me by Ms. Johnston.
On or about Wednesday, October 2nd, Ms. Taylor solicited a contribution for a third time, stating that the PAC was short of an established goal for promotional materials. That day or shortly thereafter, I provided Ms. Johnston with another $200 in cash. All solicitations described herein took place at the Government Center located at 115 E. Washington Street. No promises or threats were made regarding the contributions. I regret my participation in these activities and offer my sincere apologies to County Auditor Michelle Anderson, each of you, and most importantly, the taxpayers of McLean County.
Sincerely yours,
Trevor Sierra
This is very disturbing but not surprising. No other board members have come out with questions other than Chuck Erickson who first brought out the email. You can expect many lies will be told and emails, text messages and Facebook posts have already been deleted from democrat board members regarding their participation in trying to get the auditors office removed. How does county administration or board members expect any kind of a working relationship now with auditor. If things were strained before just think of the communication now. Lol. Why would an attorney bring out these allegations if not true or some validity to them. Cassy Taylor and Elizabeth Johnston knows it’s illegal to solicit campaign funds on government property and then trying to get funds from the states attorney and a judge! All using county phones and during working hours. Now we know the money the Yes eliminate the County Auditor signs were partly funded from soliciting county employees and keeping donations under the threshold to kept them private. This just shows you how corrupt the democratic board and the county administration will be in the future. Cassy Taylor should be removed from her position.
Putting the signs up next to mine, purposefully knowing I was against the “Yes” referendum.
Lack of transparency as to who exactly was behind the “Yes” campaign, besides Ms. Johnson and Ms. Taylor, and the Democrats Party of McLean County, as well as Illinois.
§ 108-109 Restriction on political activities.
No County employee shall engage in political activities during working hours. No County employee shall use his or her position or the authority of his or her office to solicit contributions or any other support of partisan political activities. No County employee will be intimidated into supporting or contributing to partisan political activities. Any violation of this rule is cause for suspension or dismissal. Outside of working hours, there shall be no restriction on political activities, except employees under federal grants covered by the Hatch Act.
It just keeps getting better and better. Oh how the audacity, egotism, and disregard for law is so prevalent with the left. Typical leftist behavior.
“Anything for their ideology” is acceptable, even breaking clear, established, and well known election rules.
Even more disturbing, alarming, and creates a large measure culpability for all involved is the lack of integrity amongst staff, elected officials, and any others that were aware but failed to act by reporting this matter to election authorities earlier.
More a little later
“On Thursday, September 19, Ms. Taylor stated that fundraising efforts were not satisfactory and asked me to call State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds to inquire whether Circuit Judge Don Knapp or other allies would be willing to contribute to the PAC. Ms. Taylor explicitly stated, “If asked about this conversation, I will lie.” I called Ms. Reynolds that same day, Thursday, September 19, per Ms. Taylor’s request. Ms. Reynolds had questions regarding the PAC that I could not answer, so she asked me to ask Ms. Johnston for a contact. I provided Ms. Reynolds with a name and telephone number that had been provided to me by Ms. Johnston.“
Directing an “Officer of the Court” to Lie is never a good precedent, Let alone when directing them to solicit campaign funds from a Circuit Court Judge or States Attorney. By allegedly doing so, Ms. Taylor has shown her willingness to both not only, illegally, campaign during working hours for the Democrat Party, use County Resources to conspire with other County staff (Assistant State’s Attorney) and elected officials (Elizabeth Johnson County Board member), against a lawfully elected County elected official (County Auditor) for the purpose of soliciting campaign donations from county staff and elected County Officials (Circuit Court Judge/States Attorney) to support a referendum (Vote Yes PAC) to eliminate the elected officials position (County Auditor) Ms. Taylor was conspiring against. Ms. Taylor and Various other persons of which Elizabeth Johnston is one of those, are allegedly involved in this horrendously corrupt conspiracy.
Did I miss anything so far?
I’d look into who else was involved during the initial attempt to remove the current auditor. More names will arise – God willing.
If you know something say it!