District 218 Says 'No' to Campaign Donations

Should a school district be donating money to a political campaign?

That's the question raised by a south suburban school district's contributions to a local mayor with money earned through the school's pop machines. Whether those donations are illegal, or merely unethical, depends on how you interpret "public funds" under state law.

District 206 Supt. Glen Giannetti told Patch he made the contributions, and that he sees nothing wrong with using the money this way because vending machine revenue is a "discretionary fund." But it's possible the superintendent could be violating the State Election Code or the 2003 Ethics Act — or both.

In light of this report, we decided to ask Community High School District 218 Supt. John Byrne how the districts uses vending machine revenue from Richards, Shepard and Eisenhower high schools, and whether the district would donate to a local political campaign.

The answer: The revenue collected from vending machines goes directly to the activity account of the school in which it is located, Byrne said. That money is then used for things like graduation ribbons and other expenses that go "directly to the kids."

D218's vending contracts are with Pepsi and Hometown Vendors, Byrne said. The companies handle all aspects of the machines. In total, D218 usually collects several thousand dollars — "definitely under $10,000," Byrne said.

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, D218 has not donated to any political campaigns.

"Not a penny of District 218 money has ever gone to support any political fundraiser," Byrne said. "In fact, we shy away from things like mayor's golf outings. If we go to something like that we would pay for it ourselves."

According to the State Board of Elections, Byrne personally donated $250 to Michael Sheahan in 2001 and Tom Dart in 2006. Both were Cook County Sheriff candidates at the time. Byrne said he grew up with Sheahan and the donations were separate from his D218 work.

Byrne says it is a part of his job to develop relationships with local elected officials, however political opinions do not factor in.

"I support the community. You could put any Tom, Dick or Shirley in there and I would work with them," Byrne said.

The fact that D218 takes in students from nine separate communities means it is somewhat easier for him to stay out of local politics. However, Byrne said he does work to develop ways to help the community and the district's students. 

"I don't think that means I have to donate to their political war chest, that money is not going to go back into the community," Byrne said. "I have some line in the sand, and I am not saying I am right, but that is the way I do it."

Want to know more? Read about the requirements of state law and the questionable Bloom Trail donations in Christopher Paicely's report: