Peoria Chamber Political Action Committee
The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) has had a long history of involvement in local politics. For over ten years, the Chamber has offered its members endorsements of candidates for a variety of public offices. The Chamber has hosted mayoral debates in the past two elections, and the chamber regularly shares information with all of its members on key legislative issues at the state and federal level. The Chamber has been actively involved in key transportation issues from roads to airport service and more. The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce has taken strong positions on issues facing the business community, recently demonstrated by the opposition the Chamber mounted against the proposed 1-cent home rules sales tax last fall.
It is time for the chamber and its member businesses to do more and the Chamber board is taking positive financial and physical action in that direction by forming the Peoria Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC). The Peoria Chamber PAC is a subsidiary corporation of the Chamber. The Chamber itself cannot make political contributions without jeopardizing their tax status and members' ability to potentially deduct chamber dues as a business expense, thus the need to form a subsidiary corporation. I am proud to have the opportunity to be the first chairman of this state and local Political Action Committee. I believe that a strong, pro-business PAC, focusing on races of local importance, can and will make a difference for our community and our businesses.
What is the Peoria Chamber Political Action Committee's Mission Statement? The Peoria Chamber Political Action Committee supports candidates and issues at the local and / or state level who support growth policies and practices and a responsive business climate, and who bring leadership and vision to their position resulting in a progressive future for the Tri-county area.
The Committee shall also strive to build relationships with existing office holders to improve understanding and support of the business community’s interests. What will the Peoria Chamber PAC do? First, with support from the business community, we will help to fund the campaigns of candidates who are pro-business, pro-growth and progressive in their outlook with an impact on our area. The PAC will also work to identify people to be candidates for local office. We will assist them in their campaigns with money and some organizational expertise. We will be thorough in communicating the needs of local business and the PAC's expectations. Once elected, we will hold them accountable for making positive change. Why a pro-business PAC and why now? Based on the recent census, we have had ten years of no growth in the Peoria area communities. Unless we have some significant, positive change, we could be facing the same pattern over the next 10 years. To accomplish all of the goals for the region, requires that the local business community step forward and elect people who will make a difference. A strong, well-funded, progressive business PAC is a big step forward in making that difference. Illinois election law makes it simple and straightforward to contribute to political action committees. Companies can make contributions and individuals can make contributions. There are no caps or significant restrictions on contributions for a political action committee that is focused on state and local races. That is what the Peoria Chamber PAC is. The PAC will not be making contributions to any candidates running at the federal level. The majority of our efforts will be directed to local races - city, county and school board. We will, when appropriate and impactful, make contributions to candidates running for state office that the PAC believes are of particular importance to Peoria area businesses. Join with us by making a contribution to the Peoria Chamber PAC, today. Call the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and let us know if you are interested in working on local campaigns for individuals who are running for an office that the PAC is supporting. Consider running for an office yourself. And importantly, make it possible for people who work for you, who would be good pro-business elected officials have the opportunity and ability to run for office themselves.
Download: PAC Contribution Form