One of several startup newspapers tied to a conservative Illinois activist has been challenged in a federal complaint as a Republican mouthpiece which should count as a campaign contribution.
A Democrat from Darien argues in a Federal Election Commission filing that the DuPage Policy Journal is not an independent newspaper, but controlled by businessman and radio talk-show host Dan Proft through his political action committee, which has Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's financial backing.
Darien Democrat Kim Savage says the DuPage Journal is backing GOP congressional candidate Tonia Khouri against incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Bill Foster.
Proft says the newspapers are owned and distributed by a private company and are legitimate policy forums. He calls the complaint "factually incorrect in every possible way."
Foster's campaign declined comment.