Elmhurst parade organizers claim Heidner campaign declined to pay sponsorship after missing event
Organizers of the Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade say the gubernatorial campaign of Republican candidate Rick Heidner requested a late entry into this year’s event, did not appear on parade day and later declined to pay a sponsorship fee organizers said was tied to participation.
The dispute centers on the 28th annual parade held March 7 in Elmhurst.
Jim O'Connor, chairman of the parade committee, said the Heidner campaign sought to join the event after the registration deadline.
“Rick Heidner requested to be in the parade after the deadline,” O'Connor said in a statement provided to the DuPage Policy Journal. “That requires the $295 parade fee plus becoming a sponsor. Heidner chose The $1500 emerald sponsor. We added him to our sponsor board. They said they'd bring a check that day. They were a no call no show for the parade. When I called to collect the sponsorship and required fees they said they wouldn't pay it.”
Parade officials said the campaign had been listed as a sponsor under the agreement, but when contacted about the payment the campaign said it would not pay because it did not participate in the event.
Heidner, a 64-year-old real estate developer and video gambling executive, has loaned or donated $1.25 million to his campaign.
Heidner built his wealth through Gold Rush Amusements, a video gambling terminal operator in Illinois with more than 740 locations. He also owns more than 280 commercial properties across 12 states.
Despite running as a Republican, Heidner has a long history of donating to Democratic politicians and organizations in Illinois. Records show he and his companies have made 878 political donations totaling about $1.46 million over the past two decades.
Those contributions include support for prominent Democrats such as former Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, State Sen. Don Harmon's (D-Oak Park), State Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and former Chicago mayors Rahm Emanuel and Richard M. Daley.
Records also show donations to Republican groups, including the Illinois Republican Party and the Illinois House Republican Organization.
Previous reporting has examined Heidner’s business associations, including past dealings involving individuals connected to organized crime investigations and a campaign donation from a construction executive linked to companies once controlled by John DiFronzo and Peter DiFronzo, who were identified by law enforcement as organized crime figures.
Those associations have drawn regulatory attention and were cited during the review of a proposed casino project in Tinley Park.
The Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade is funded primarily through sponsorships from local businesses, civic groups and community organizations. This year’s parade listed about 60 sponsors across four tiers: Emerald, Platinum, Gold and Silver. Sponsors include local restaurants, contractors, banks, schools, youth sports programs and civic organizations.
Political campaigns also appear on the sponsor list and receive spots in the parade lineup. About a dozen sponsors were political campaigns or committees supporting candidates for offices ranging from county board seats to Congress.
One of those was Ted Dabrowski, a GOP primary opponent to Heidner.
“Great to be out with an incredible team at the 28th Annual Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade today!" Dabrowski said in a post to Facebook alongside images of himself marching in the parade. "Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate, support local traditions, and spend time with neighbors and friends. Together, we can do better for Illinois."
GOP gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski shakes hands with a police officer along the parade route during the Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (Facebook / Ted For Illinois )
Other higher-tier political sponsors included the congressional campaign of 6th Congressional District candidate Joey Ruzevich and a judicial campaign for Mike Flemming, who is seeking a circuit court judge position.
The Silver tier included several other candidates and elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, D-Ill., DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy, DuPage County Board candidate Nicholas Panicola, 6th Congressional District candidate Niki Conforti, DuPage County sheriff candidate Sean Noonan, state Rep. Marti Deuter, D-Elmhurst, state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, D-Western Springs, and DuPage County Board members Paula Deacon Garcia and Cindy Cronin Cahill.
Sponsorships help fund the parade each year and support the costs of staging the community event.