Political group for College of DuPage board chairwoman reported loans late
The political organization for College of DuPage board Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton could face fines from the state board of elections after it was determined a complaint against the group was "filed on justifiable grounds."
In August, Naperville resident Ed Agustin claimed the Committee to Elect Kathy Hamilton broke campaign disclosure rules by failing to report in a timely manner loans and contributions made to the Clean Slate For College of DuPage Committee, which was the political organization for three candidates Hamilton supported during the spring election.
Agustin said in his complaint that Hamilton's committee didn't report a total of $66,000 in loans and contributions until June 30, even though the money was received between April 14 and May 13.
The Illinois State Board of Elections this week found nothing wrong with two of the four transactions.
But Agustin's complaint was found to have been filed on justifiable grounds because two loans were reported late. One loan was for $20,000 and the other was for $21,000.
As a result, state board of elections staff members have been directed to decide whether fines will be imposed on the Committee to Elect Kathy Hamilton. The decision is expected to take months. No other action will be taken.
Agustin said he's "perfectly satisfied" with the outcome.
Hamilton declined to comment Wednesday. Her attorney, James P. Nally, said only that the "matter that was filed has ended."
Agustin is a member of the Naperville Township Democratic Organization, which is headed by COD Trustee Dianne McGuire. McGuire has been at odds with Hamilton over numerous issues at the state's largest community college.
Two years ago, Agustin ran unsuccessfully for the COD board of trustees and also was handily beaten by Grant Wehrli last year in the race for the 41st state House District seat.
A longtime critic of former COD President Robert Breuder, Hamilton was elevated to the position of board chairwoman after Clean Slate candidates Deanne Mazzochi, Charles Bernstein and Frank Napolitano won the April election and created a new board majority.
During the campaign, the Clean Slate candidates vowed to bring change to the board, which had come under fire after approving a nearly $763,000 buyout of Breuder's contract.
Since being seated, the new board majority has made policy changes, fired Breuder, repealed the buyout and fired two top financial administrators amid questions involving their investment practices.