A report issued by the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General alleges Springfield attorney Don Tracy made “loans and contributions either directly, or through his wife, to political committees” in violation of state law, while serving as chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board, which regulates gambling. Appointed by former Governor Bruce Rauner in 2015, Tracy resigned in mid-June before his term was to end July 1.
The report lists 30 contributions from Tracy and his wife, Wanda, from the time he became gaming board chairman until October 29. The list includes eight contributions totaling $7,600 from Wanda Tracy to Rauner’s campaign fund. Most of the checks were written on the couple’s joint account, with Don Tracy’s name crossed off of several, the report said.
The report also noted from 1998 through 2015, when he was named gaming board chair, Tracy made 210 contributions to 67 political committees. Over the same period, Wanda Tracy made only one. Given that history, the report stated, “it is not credible” that Wanda Tracy began writing more campaign checks “without any direction from her husband, or even discussion with him about it.”
Tracy said the report was “baseless speculation. He said it was “a bit sexist,” since investigators never spoke with his wife. “I don’t see anything at all wrong or unethical about Wanda exercising her constitutional rights,” he said.
The report also noted Tracy remained chairman of Central Illinois for Responsible Government, which supported Rauner, while he was gaming board chairman. Tracy said Governor J.G. Pritzker did not ask him to resign.
Tracy said he believes the investigation was politically motivated but refused to provide details. The inspector general’s office recommended Pritzker take appropriate action.
