This presentation was done by a student in the summer 2013 offering of the online class "Nonprofits & Civic Engagement" from the University of Illinois Chicago. Tom Tresser, instructor. tom@civiclb.us

1. Campaign
Contribution
Research
Week 3 Studio, Option #2
UIC Nonprofits & Civic Engagement – Summer
2013

2. Elected Official
My State Representative:
Gregory Harris
Whom he represents:
13th District of Illinois
First elected to seat:
2006
Worth noting:
Openly gay, openly
living with HIV;
founder of Open Hand
Chicago and AIDSWalk
Chicago

3. Following the Money
Total raised in 2012: $89,422
Total contributors: 131
Average donation: $682.61
Top 10 donors
1. Associated Beer Distributors
of Illinois ($3,500)
2. Aetna ($2,500)
3. Comcast ($2,500)
4. Aurora Chicago Lakeshore
Hospital ($2,000)
5. Citizens for John Cullerton
($2,000)
6. Illinois Hospital & Health
Systems Association ($2,000)
7. Illinois Hospital Association
($2,000)
8. Illinois Trial Lawyers
Association ($2,000)
9. Robert Kohl ($2,000)
10. SEIU Healthcare Illinois
Indiana ($2,000)

4. Top Donor
Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois
Beer, wine and liquor represent big business in Chicago and across Illinois.
According to www.followthemoney.org, the Associated Beer Distributors of
Illinois has donated $1,095,277 to politicians and political candidates to
date. That includes $651,017 to Democrats, $442,260 to Republicans and
$2,000 to third-party candidates. Almost 91 percent of the total
contributions has gone toward incumbents, while 7.5 percent have gone
toward candidates pursuing open seats and 1.6 percent have gone toward
challengers.

5. Connecting the Dots
Political influence is essential to the Associated Beer Distributors of
Illinois.
As an veteran state representative on Chicago’s North Side, Gregory
Harris carries political influence. It makes sense that ABDI would support
Harris.
Of course, ABDI has a motive for handing out money. The group’s
website includes a “Government Guide” that outlines its strategy to its
members:
“Few, if any, industries are as highly regulated as the alcoholic beverage industry. Every facet
of the industry (from the moment every beer is brewed to the moment that the beer is
consumed) is regulated. Laws determine who may sell alcohol, what can be sold, where to
sell, when to sell, how to sell, and who can purchase alcohol.
Because of government’s role in the alcoholic beverage industry, ABDI’s top priority is to
provide
Association Members with representation and monitoring
of government activities at both the State and Federal levels.
ABDI is committed to represent its members’ interests on laws and
regulations that affect the malt beverage distribution industry.”

6. Connecting the Dots, II
The 13th District of Illinois includes dozens (if not hundreds) of bars and restaurants
with liquor licenses, and it’s in Gregory Harris’ best interests politically to be a friend
to the beverage industry. Likewise, it’s in ABDI’s interest to have a political friend
such as Harris (not to mention many of his colleagues in Springfield).
My conclusion is that ABDI
is not advocating for change
so much as trying to maintain
the (highly profitable) status quo
for its members.
For Harris, who is focused on
marriage equality and other
big-picture topics, ABDI’s gift
likely helped him gain re-election and pursue issues unrelated to beer distributors.