(The Center Square) – Several Illinois races are being funded by the “Local Jobs and Economic Development Fund,” which is apparently based in Delaware.
In 2022, the group received over $1 million from the Tides Foundation. The Pritzkers, alongside billionaire George Soros, are contributors of the Tides Foundation, an organization that funds other small progressive groups, like Adalah Justice Project.
David Dunn, a Republican McLean county board candidate, said this level of money from out of state raises a lot of questions.
“I think residents want to know where this money is coming from and why groups like this are interested in our local government,” said Dunn.
According to Open Secrets researcher Anna Massoglia, “Dark money” refers to spending meant to influence political outcomes where the source of the money is not disclosed. In McLean County, board candidate Jim Rogal received $10,000 directly from a dark money group. The Democratic Party of Illinois received over $27,000.
“When we are seeing money flowing in from undisclosed sources to a group that then spends on elections or spends on an issue, it deprives voters who may be forming their opinion on a candidate or a topic from that crucial information about who is behind the group,” said Massoglia.