Sheahan campaign donations draw scorn from opponents

Brien Sheahan's rivals for the GOP nomination in the 41st House District say his championing of himself as a campaign finance reformer rings hollow in light of donations he has received from a relative and DuPage County contractor.

In recent weeks Sheahan voted in favor of capping contributions from county vendors at $1,000. Yet as recently as June, he received $50,000 from county dirt hauler who signed a $23,200 contract in late July.

According to Sheahan's reporting documents filed on July 29, he received two substantial contributions within 10 days of each other. The first $50,000 came from former real estate magnate and former Oak Brook businessman Ed Heil on June 18. The second, came from his "baby sister," Jennifer Sheahan, also for $50,000, on June 28.

"Ed Heil is retired so he has no county business and he has no state business and he's not looking for any county or state business," Sheahan said. "This is as simple as two people who believe in me as a candidate, and I'm proud to have their support."

A review of recent county contracts, however, shows E.F. Heil, LLC, was the low bidder and awarded a $23,200 county contract to "dispose of soils due to sewer and water repairs" as recently as July 28, more than a month after the Heil contribution.

Several other candidates in the race called the move at most hypocritical, and questionable at least.

Matt Burden, a 41-year-old director at the Shedd Aquarium, called the situation disappointing.

"People will tell you that those are the political shenanigans they've grown tired of and that taint their view of politicians," Buirden said. "Sheahan's move appears as if he's maneuvering around ethics of the day, given the recent rule passed by the county board."

Michael Manzo, a 41-year-old chief of staff for Republican Commissioner Tony Peraica, said such contributions should be eliminated completely, rather than capped.

Another candidate, Rafael Rivadeneira, believes individuals should not be forced to limit their contributions from anyone, except those doing or seeking government business.

"Capping individual donations is unconstitutional and only serves to help the incumbents who are backed by the machines," said Rivadeneira, whose largest contribution to date is $5,000. "But I know (Sheahan) has said he supports those limits so taking a $50,000 check from a company that has even one contract is pretty hypocritical."

But Sheahan, who confirmed he was at the county board meeting on July 28, said he has no recollection of voting for the contract.

"I have talked to Ed (Heil) on several occasions and it was his belief that he had not had any county business since 1986. My personal recollection is that we never approved such contracts."

Reached at his Miami Beach home on Jan. 21, Heil said he had just learned earlier in the day that the company, of which he owns 4 percent, was awarded the contract.

"But that doesn't matter because I support Brien completely and I think we need more young people like him to bring some quality back to politics," Heil said.

Despite the new county law and the corresponding state law that goes into effect next year, Sheahan has no plans to return the donation and Heil doesn't want it back.

"Ed's contribution was made last summer and has been a matter of public record," Sheahan said. "The suggestion ... is that Ed Heil made a $50,000 donation to me to get $6,080 or possibly even $23,200 in dumping fees. It's absurd."

Sheahan also countered by accusing the final candidate in the race, Chris Nybo, a 32-year-old labor attorney and Elhurst councilman, of accepting significant donations from Elgin contractors. Sheahan also says Nybo made moves to benefit a political contributor and high school classmate, Dan Hiffman.

"Any attempt to equate Mr. Sheahan's behavior with mine is outrageous. Unlike Mr. Heil's $50,000 to Mr. Sheahan, Dan Hiffman - my high school classmate and friend - has given me a total of $500 over four years," Nybo said. "The public is desperate for elected officials they can trust and who will tell the truth, a habit that Mr. Sheahan completely lacks. As for Mr. Heil, just look at who he has given large amounts of money to in the past and how large state contracts seem to follow."