![](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/389/2021/07/15132841/0715KellyPHOTO-300x194.jpg)
By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – The feds have signed off on a plan that lets U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) be chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois without doing a major part of the job. As a federal officeholder, Kelly cannot raise money at the state level.
The way the party’s proposal shakes out – removing Kelly from that fund-raising in favor of a commission, is not lost on Trey Trainor of the Federal Election Commission.
“Essentially, what we are doing is turning the party chairmanship in Illinois into a purely honorary role,” Trainor said during Thursday morning’s FEC meeting, “without the power to direct a very large portion of the activities that the Democratic Party of Illinois engages in.”
DPI lawyer Sam Brown put a positive spin on the proposal, saying it fits Kelly’s vision to grow the party, make it more diverse and inclusive, and give more people a chance to get involved.
Kelly is black. Trainor said the party’s not maximizing the diversity she brings.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].