Beidler Campaign Files Complaint Against Lake Forest Caucus Over Tack

LAKE FOREST, IL — A campaign finance complaint filed against the Lake Forest Caucus is set for a closed-door hearing on April 13, nine days after Tuesday's municipal elections, according to state election officials.

Independent mayoral candidate Prue Biedler says her campaign filed the complaint on March 22, a day after the treasurer of her political committee, Dianne Casuto, issued a statement accusing the Caucus and the campaign of its candidate for mayor, Randy Tack, of violating campaign finance law.

Casuto asserted that the Caucus had exceeded campaign contribution limits by about $30,000, suggesting it had broken a $68,500 cap on donations during a single election cycle.

“This exchange is an egregious violation of state law that never should have happened," Casuto said in a statement. "When organizations engage in breaking the law, they don’t deserve our consideration or trust. A candidate who allows his own committee to violate state finance law lacks both integrity and credibility.”'

According to campaign filings, the Lake Forest Caucus has contributed nearly $100,000 in in-kind donations to the Tack for Mayor candidate committee.

But more than $43,000 of that has come this month — after the Feb. 28 consolidated primary election date.

"The election cycle for the consolidated election shall begin on the day after the date of the consolidated primary election, even if no consolidated primary election is held in that jurisdiction," according to state administrative rules cited by Caucus officials.

Joe Oriti, treasurer of the Caucus, described the Beidler campaign's complaint as "misguided" and suggested a "simple phone call" to the state board of elections could have verified that the contributions were within state limits.

Related: Lake Forest Caucus Rakes In The Cash Ahead Of Contested Mayor's Race

"Do you want a mayor that can't manage a simple phone call, let alone is wrong about the law?" Caucus President David Hunt said in a statement. "If you want someone who is more measured, thoughtful, and does meticulous homework, then you should vote for Randy Tack."

Hunt said this year's level of campaign spending is unsustainable for the community and the Caucus.

"In addition," Hunt said, "any additional legal costs spent fighting frivolous legal complaints such as the one at issue here only adds to the costs of our undersized budget."

Last week, Hunt said the Caucus has raised more than $100,000 to counter Beidler, well in excess of its annual operating budget of about $20,000.

"If challenged every cycle, the Caucus cannot survive," he said.

"Also at stake," Hunt said, "is ensuring that Beidler and her team are held to account for the divisiveness they are inflicting upon community members."

Related: Ex-Alderman Challenges Rejected Caucus Candidate For Lake Forest Mayor

Michael Dorf, an attorney for Beidler's campaign, said in a statement that he would present evidence at the preliminary closed hearing scheduled for April 13.

“The timing of in-kind contributions has been frequently litigated and is subject to very specific regulations," Dorf said.

Lake Forest Patch has been unable to verify the contents of the complaint, which are exempt from release by the Illinois State Board of Elections under the Freedom of Information Act unless the board finds that it was filed on justifiable grounds.

Patch requested a copy of the complaint from Casuto, Beidler's treasurer, and Benes, the Caucus vice president. But, as of Friday evening, neither had provided one.

Casuto on Friday declined to say if she stood by her March 21 statement alleging the Caucus broke the law.

"We stand behind our complaint," Casuto told Patch.