Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is taking up a complaint filed by the Libertarian Party candidate that voter intimidation tactics were used by Republicans in an attempt to kick the party off the ballot. The allegation includes a gun-toting private investigator that paid house visits to verify petitions. The AG’s office confirmed a verbal complaint was made with the public integrity unit. The office is looking into the matter, a spokeswoman said. Early & Often columnist Dan Mihalopoulos was the first to report that private investigators were armed with guns while working for the Republican effort to remove the Libertarians from the November ballot.
Mihalopoulos also reported there were strong ties between the effort and the Bruce Rauner gubernatorial campaign. That included $6,500 that Rauner personaly contributed to the Palos Township Republican organization — which is led by Morrison Security owner Sean Morrison.
It was Morrison’s firm that carried out the petition validating. Gov. Pat Quinn called for an investigation.
Rauner denounced the tactic Thursday but said it had nothing to do with himself or his campaign. “I absolutely reject it and would never condone it,” Rauner said. “It’s terrible. I don’t know if it’s true, but I would never accept it. I’m outraged by what I’ve read.”
Full Article: Pistol-packing petition challenger prompts review by AG | Early & Often.