ICYMI: SUPERPAC STRATTON FAILS TO ANSWER TOUGH QUESTIONS ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Feb

2026

PRESS RELEASE

ICYMI: SUPERPAC STRATTON FAILS TO ANSWER TOUGH QUESTIONS ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Chicago - U.S. Senate candidate Robin Kelly sharply criticized Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton's campaign pledge to reject corporate Political Action Committee (PAC) money, calling it a “hypocritical, hollow promise designed to mislead voters.” This, as multiple news reports show Stratton’s three affiliated Senate super PACs relied on funding from billionaire donors and corporate interests - including a for-profit prison company.

Kelly’s criticism centers on the disconnect between Stratton’s public stance and her funding reality, where Stratton’s campaign has seen a recent fundraising boost from billionaire donors, and backing from companies like CoreCivic that are engaged in ICE contracting and the private prison industry.

In a recent debate, Kelly challenged Stratton to disavow Super PAC funding. Stratton declined to do so.

"Juliana Stratton should spare us the lectures on corporate PAC money when she rakes in millions of corporate dollars through her multiple Super PACs,” Kelly said. “Juliana’s words don’t match her funding. While she talks about opposing corporate PACs, her Super PACs are fueled by billionaire money, ICE contractors, and private prison profiteers.”

Kelly supports campaign finance reform and true grassroots representation, including public financing for political campaigns. Kelly emphasized that her own fundraising is built on a foundation of small-dollar donations and a broad base of support, ensuring her accountability remains with the voters and not wealthy donors.

“Check the record,” Kelly said. “I work for my constituents. The people of Illinois deserve transparency and real accountability, not smoke and mirrors. These types of financial games keep good people from running for office, good people from winning and good people from staying in office.”

More information on Kelly’s Senate campaign, priorities and platform can be found here.

BACKGROUND

Despite pledging to reject corporate PAC money, Stratton’s campaign has been boosted by the Democratic Lieutenant Governor’s Association and their PAC, which has received significant contributions for corporations building ICE detention centers and for-profit prisons.

Stratton has been a member of the DLGA for years, and told media outlets she expected a “7-figure donation,” from the PAC when she launched her campaign.

PACs are prohibited from directly contributing more than $10,000 to political campaigns. Stratton’s comment, which was confirmed by a DLGA spokesperson, suggests Stratton knew the organization would be coordinating outside communication on her behalf.

The DLGA PAC has financed mail pieces and polling for Stratton, whose own campaign has yet to air a single television ad. Instead, Stratton’s campaign is relying on another Super PAC, Illinois Future PAC, to blanket the airwaves with millions of dollars of advertising. Financial disclosures for Illinois Future PAC show the majority of their funding comes from just two donors.