The Secret PAC behind Dean R White's run for RNC Committeeman is receiving criticism

Opinion: The Kane County Warriors need to register as a Political Committee

The federal elections commission defines a contribution as “anything of value given, loaned or advanced to influence a federal election.”

The Illinois State board of election demands that if a group raises or spends more than $5,000 in any 12-month period to support or oppose a candidate, or for election-related communication, they are required to register as a political committee.

A photo of a weekly meeting for the unregistered PAC Warriors / photo Max Rice

After endorsing self-proclaimed prophet Lance Bell, the unregistered political committee "Kane County Warriors for Christ" dropped "for Christ" from their name and now goes by "Kane County Warriors." Meeting every Thursday at attorney Larry Bettag’s home, they seem to be shedding more than just a word—they’re losing the moral ground they once stood on. Here's why I believe they should be registered as a PAC.

Kane County Board Candidate Lance Bell at a Warrriors meeting. Photo/ Max Rice

The Warriors claim they've been an active political group since February 25, 2022

They frequently engage in electioneering for local and federal candidates, as well as political causes.

quotes from the Warriors email blasts

The Warriors even traveled to Southern Illinois to help orchestrate Peerless Fence chairman Dean White's upset victory over Mark Shaw for RNC Committeeman at the Illinois GOP state convention, further showing their deep involvement in political maneuvering .

Each week, 70 to 100 people gather at Bettag's home to eat, listen to speeches, and then break into four issue-based subcommittees: Health Freedom, Life Matters, K-12, and a committee for screening new members. During the speeches, a plastic bag is passed around, and attendees are encouraged to contribute cash. Seeing hundreds of dollars cash passed around with no formal oversight is concerning—especially considering Bettag is a lawyer.

Photo Facebook / Black and Right

One private event they hosted, an "Anti-Human Trafficking Fundraiser" at a St. Charles country club, reportedly cost over $20,000, according to a GOP insider. Their own marketing materials claim that RNC Committeeman Dean White contributed to their event. This alone should have pushed them past the threshold to register as a PAC.

The Warriors frequently host political events for other candidates and "parties" separate from their weekly meetings, all of which undoubtedly accumulate costs.

Photo Facebook/ Adam Lowiz

The Warriors also allegedly have thousands of dollars worth of "Liberty Ground Coffee" that they sell for cash, further adding to their unaccounted fundraising efforts.

In addition, they give and receive gifts like Kane County Cougar tickets and possibly night vision goggles.

The unregistered Warriors sell items, such as a "medical freedom" book for $10 in cash.

But just consider their weekly cash collections. With a conservative estimate of $150 per week, they would surpass the $5,000 threshold within 33 weeks just from cash donations. Add to that the in-kind donations of food and drinks—the warriors often encourage attendees to bring enough food for 10 people, including meat dishes, alcohol, and snacks—and it's clear they likely exceeded the threshold for in-kind contributions as well.

Additionally, the group uses mass email and texting systems, and operate a political blog called “Kane County speaks” which likely incur significant costs, further demonstrating the need for transparency.

To their credit, the Warriors are active. They electioneer, attend local meetings, and field candidates, which are commendable efforts. But secrecy has no place in politics, whether Republican or Democrat. If they want to play in the political arena, transparency is essential.

But if “The Warriors” continue to operate in the dark, they will need those night vision goggles after all.