UPDATE: CAP’s August 5th Progress Report noted a similar EFA campaign being conducted against Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN).
Yesterday while driving to Warsaw, Missouri for the dinner honoring Congressman Ike Skelton (D) sponsored by the Fourth Congressional District Democratic Committee we noticed a large billboard on U.S. Highway 50 attacking him.
A billboard along U.S. Highway 50 in LaMonte, Missouri.
We returned to LaMonte early this afternoon to photograph the billboard and to see if we could find out who was responsible for it. Sure enough, there it was, in tiny type (by huge billboard standards):
Just who is the Economic Freedom Alliance, who pays for their billboards, and why would they be targetting Ike Skelton? They are an IRS 527 organization.
Rove event sparks tension, protests
By KAREN McDONALD
of the Journal Star
Posted May 08, 2009 @ 09:36 PM
Last update May 09, 2009 @ 04:31 PM….The Economic Freedom Alliance is a seven-state coalition comprised of manufacturing associations and chambers of commerce to fight the [Employee Free Choice] act.
The Employee Free Choice Act is a federal measure that would make forming unions easier. Freedom Alliance founder Ron Gidwitz says it will reduce competitiveness of American industry.
Ike Skelton (D) is a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Okay, so who’s paying for the billboard?
From IRS Form 8872, Political Organization, Report of Contributions and Expenditures for the Economic Freedom Alliance [pdf] dated June 30, 2009:
Phoenix Closures N/A
1899 High Grove Lane
Naperville, IL 60540 N/A $ 20000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 20000 01/30/2009Maclean-Fogg Company N/A
1000 Allanson Road
Mundelein, IL 60060 N/A $ 25000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 25000 02/02/2009Molex Incorporated N/A
2222 Wellington Court
Lisle, IL 60532 N/A $ 10000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 10000 02/18/2009Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A
1301 W. 22nd St. Suite 610
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 30000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 30000 02/23/2009Bulkmatic Transport Company N/A
2001 N. Cline Ave.
Griffith, IN 46319 N/A $ 1000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 1000 02/27/2009Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A
1301 W. 22nd St. Ste 610
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 35000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 65000 03/05/2009Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A
1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 100000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 165000 03/17/2009Michael Keiser N/A
2450 N. Lakeview
Chicago, IL 60614 Investor $ 2000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 2000 03/19/2009James P. Gorter N/A
855 Skokie Highway Suite D
Lake Bluff, IL 60044 Retired $ 1500
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 1500 03/20/2009Illinois Coalition for Jobs, Growth & Prosperity N/A
220 E. Adams Street
Springfield, IL 62701 N/A $ 50000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 50000 04/17/2009Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A
1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 35000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 210000 04/22/2009Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A
1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 50000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 260000 04/23/2009Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A
1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 90000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 350000 05/13/2009Marquis Energy, LLC N/A
11953 Esk Road
Hennepin, IL 61327 N/A $ 5000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 5000 05/29/2009David Grainger W.W. Grainger
100 Grainger Parkway
Lake Forest, IL 60045 Senior Advisor $ 1000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 1000 06/04/2009Illinois Manufacturers’ Association N/A
1301 W. 22nd St. Ste. 610
Aok Brook, IL 60523 N/A $ 50000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 400000 06/16/2009Charlie N Mills Medline Industires
700 S. Ridge Rd.
Lake Forest, IL 60045 CEO $ 10000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 10000 06/22/2009Hunter Engineering Company N/A
11250 Hunter Drive
Bridgeton, MO 63044 N/A $ 5000
Aggregate contributions year-to-date Date of contribution
$ 5000 06/30/2009
[emphasis added]
Yeah, did you notice the grass rootsie feel of their support? Not too many folks from Missouri, eh?
And who is the Economic Freedom Alliance paying to do all this (expenditures from the same IRS form)?:
Hastert and Associates N/A $ 10000
Box 386
Yorkville, IL 60510 N/A 05/13/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Consulting FeeRobert L. Athey LTD N/A $ 15000
5943 East Circle
Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 05/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeChristine Dudley N/A $ 6500
3100 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 05/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeLisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000
1020 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 05/13/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Consulting FeeLisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000
1020 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 05/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeGoodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000
964 Cooper Ct.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 05/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeAnne F. Hathaway N/A $ 5000
4505 N. Delaware
Indianapolis, IN 46205 N/A 05/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Fee ExpenditureKarl Rove & Co N/A $ 20000
PO Box 40364
Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 05/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Consulting FeeChristine Dudley N/A $ 726
3100 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 05/27/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Out of Pocket Expense ReimbursementJAD and Associates N/A $ 5000
37 West Broad Street, Ste. 970
Columbus, OH 43125 N/A 06/01/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeRobert L. Athey LTD N/A $ 15000
5943 East Circle
Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 06/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeKarl Rove & Co. N/A $ 20000
PO Box 40364
Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 06/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Consulting FeeChristine Dudley N/A $ 6500
3100 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 06/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeLisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000
1020 C
ollege Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 06/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeGoodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000
964 Cooper Ct.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 06/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Recurring FeeAnne F. Hathaway N/A $ 5000
4505 N. Delaware
Indianapolis, IN 46205 N/A 06/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeNew Media Communication N/A $ 8000
3046 Brecksville Road
Richfield, OH 44286 N/A 06/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Web Site DevelopmentChristine T. Dudley N/A $ 453
3100 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 06/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Out of Pocket Expense ReimbursementGoodman Political LLC N/A $ 420
964 Cooper Ct.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 06/22/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Out of Pocket Expense ReimbursementLisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 451
1020 College Aveneue
Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 06/22/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Out of Pocket Expense ReimbursementSaint Louis Club N/A $ 3586
7701 Forsyth Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63105 N/A 06/22/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Meeting ExpenseConnell Donatelli Inc N/A $ 2898
116 N. St. Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 N/A 06/24/2009
Purpose of expenditure
email ContractSerafin & Assoc N/A $ 5000
409 W. Huron, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60654 N/A 06/26/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Communication Services ManagementJAD and Associates N/A $ 5000
37 West Broad Street, Ste. 970
Columbus, OH 43125 N/A 06/26/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeAmericans for Properity N/A $ 5000
200 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606 N/A 06/26/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Reimburse for Event ExpenseWashington Speakers Bureau N/A $ 10000
1663 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 N/A 06/29/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Speakers FeeXpress Professional Services N/A $ 22500
1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 06/30/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Adminsitrative Service Fee – 3 monthsRoosevelt Watkins III N/A $ 10000
9231 S. Cottage Grove
Chicago, IL 60619 N/A 04/23/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeXpress Professional Services N/A $ 21000
1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 02/02/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Media PlacementKarl Rove & Co. N/A $ 20000
PO Box 40364
Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 02/19/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Consulting FeeChristine Dudley N/A $ 6500
3000 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 03/06/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeRobert L. Athey LTD N/A $ 15000
5943 East Circle
Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 03/06/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeLisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000
1020 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 03/06/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeRobert L. Athery LTD N/A $ 15000
5943 East Circle
Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 03/16/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeChristine Dudley N/A $ 6500
3000 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 03/16/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeLisa Wagner & Company N/A $ 5000
1020 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 03/16/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeGoodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000
964 Cooper Court
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 03/06/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeGoodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000
964 Cooper Court
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 03/16/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeKarl Rove & Co. N/A $ 20000
PO Box 40364
Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 03/16/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Consulting FeeRev. James L. Demus III N/A $ 5000
4800 S. Lake Park
Chicago, IL 60615 N/A 03/17/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeRev. Leslie Sanders N/A $ 5000
1352 West 21st Street
Chicago, IL 60637 N/A 03/17/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeRoosevelt Watkins III N/A $ 5000
9231 S. Cottage Grove
Chicago, IL 60619 N/A 03/17/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeXpress Professional Services N/A $ 15591
1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 04/02/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Administrative Services, Postage and Conference CallsXpress Professional Services N/A $ 25228
1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 04/03/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Media PlacementRobert L. Athey LTD N/A $ 15000
5943 East Circle
Chicago, IL 60631 N/A 04/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeChristine Dudley N/A $ 6500
3000 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60657 N/A 04/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeLisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 5000
1020 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 04/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly contractor FeeGoodman Political LLC N/A $ 4000
964 Cooper Court
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 04/15/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeKarl Rove & Co N/A $ 20000
PO Box 40364
Washington DC, DC 20016 N/A 04/16/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Consulting FeeAnne F. Hathaway N/A $ 5000
4505 N. Delaware
Indianapolis, IN 46205 N/A 04/16/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeRonald Gidwitz N/A $ 671
200 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606 Investor 04/16/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Travel ReimbursementRev. James L Demus III N/A $ 10000
4800 S. Lake Park
Chicago, IL 60615 N/A 04/23/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeGoodman Political LLC N/A $ 543
964 Cooper Court
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 N/A 04/24/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Reimbursement for out of pocket expensesSerafin & Associates N/A $ 5305
409 W. Huron, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60654 N/A 04/24/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Communication Management ServicesLisa Wagner & Co. N/A $ 6360
1020 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187 N/A 04/28/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Reimbursement for Out of pocket expensesXpress Professional Services N/A $ 60000
1211 W. 22nd Street, Suite 620
Oak Brook, IL 60523 N/A 04/28/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Media PlacementRev. Leslie Sanders N/A $ 10000
1352 West 21st Street
Chicago, IL 60637 N/A 04/30/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Monthly Contractor FeeNew Media Communications N/A $ 8000
3046 Brecksville Road
Richfield, OH 44286 N/A 04/30/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Website DevelopmentNew Media Communications N/A $ 9000
3046 Brecksville Road
Richfield, OH 44286 N/A 05/13/2009
Purpose of expenditure
Web site Development
[emphasis added]
Ah, the usual suspects…