North Cook News

Northwest Side GOP Club officials point to former Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan being able to walk away with nearly $400,000 in campaign contributions as another example of how desperately election reform is needed in Springfield.

“Follow the money… one more thing to add to the long list of things to reform in Illinois,” the group posted on Facebook. “Former Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan just pocketed $392,606.”

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Sheahan, who also once served as 19th Ward alderman, netted his windfall by paying himself out of his Citizens for Michael F. Sheahan campaign committee before closing its books more than a decade after he last held public office.

Even though former President Barack Obama once labeled the practice a form of “legalized bribery,” Illinois lawmakers have done little to streamline or outlaw the custom. Even in 1998, when lawmakers voted to reel in the practice it only applied to future political candidates, exempting anyone who already had a campaign chest.

For the last three-plus decades, current and former government officials have been legally able to cash out an amount equal to the funds available in their political accounts, with the only stipulation being that they pay income taxes on the money.

In addition to the campaign treasure chest, Sheahan is reported to also be collecting in the neighborhood of $225,000 annually in county and city pensions, an amount that exceeds his largest salary while still sheriff.

Sheahan supporters have been quick to argue he has gradually withdrawn the campaign money over the last 15 years with most of it being steered toward charitable and political contributions.