Is the United Republican Fund of Illinois, designed to help GOP candidates, more interested in helping itself financially? Certainly looks that way, according to the fund`s official financial statements filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The 1984 report shows that the fund collected $162,871 but that it spent only $5,263.33 on individual campaign contributions, many of which were only $50 donations. The GOPers spent $85,613 on administrative expenses and more than $30,000 on T-shirts and bumper stickers and luncheons and receptions for former Sen. Charles Percy, former Labor Secretary Ray Donovan and former presidential aide Lynn Nofziger and a GOP victory dinner hosted by former Interior Secretary James Watt. How`s that for priority spending? P.S. According to its 1983 report, the fund collected $177,350. It gave $29,891 to the Cook County Republican Central Committee and spent $3,505 for Bernie Epton`s mayoral bid, $21,900 for a Welcome Home Jim Brady dinner, $3,312 on meeting expenses and nearly $80,000 on administrative costs. Wonder what would have happened if the fund had spent a little more on Epton`s near victory. What do fund officials say about all this? ”I just keep the books, so you better talk to President Ken Wright,” said H.L. Osborn, the fund`s treasurer. ”But way back when we organized 50 years ago, we were the main source of fundraising for the party. But around 10 years ago, the state party wasn`t happy with the amount of funds we raised, so we don`t give to them, and then a couple of years ago, the Cook County central committee didn`t like the amount of fundraising we did, so we don`t give to them.” So what gives now?
The Love connection . . .
Former School Supt. Ruth Love showed off a brand new look on her Channel 7 (WLS-TV) debut Monday night. She`s thinner and has a shorter hairdo and softer makeup, thanks to Leigh Jones. Love is wearing her own clothes while deciding which offer of free clothing to accept. Backstagers said Love was remarkably cool for her first night on the air. (She`ll do commentaries every Monday and Wednesday night and three documentaries a year.) After the broadcast, she celebrated her debut and her birthday with cake and champagne. ”I`ve been on TV enough not to be nervous,” says Love, who also says she has ”plenty of time to get around to (doing a commentary) on the school board.” In addition to her TV gig, Love`s new business will develop educational video material and computer software.
Hot flash . . .
State Democratic Chairman Cal Sutker will host Paul Kirk, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who hits town Friday to tell the local boys how he is dealing with the Democrats` image problem. Answer: Ver-r-y carefully. Watch for Kirk to explain how he is making the DNC a service operation for state parties and campaigns.
INC.lings . . .
All good things must end, even ”ER/Emergency Room,” which has had a 39- month run. The Organic Theater Company`s production will have its last performance at the Forum Theater on May 12. . . . Mayor Harold Washington`s speech writer, Brian Boyer, has been asked by the California Democratic Council to help prepare a welcome for Nobel Peace Prize-winner Bishop Desmond Tutu, who will speak in several California cities May 10 through 12. . . . Don DePorter, of Hyatt Hotels, will be introduced as the new president of the Chicago Convention Bureau at a Wednesday luncheon. . . . Wednesday birthdays: Shirley MacLaine, 51; Barbra Striesand, 43. . . . Channel 5`s Peter Nolan is looking for a suitable theater for his play, ”51st Ward,” which he plans to open in September. . . . When Jim Belushi ran into a film crew from the Latin School this week, he graciously agreed to make a guest appearance in the school`s production. . . . It will either be the most expensive concert ticket since the Michael Jackson tour or a most entertaining fundraiser. INC. hears that State Reps. John Cullerton and Sam Panayotovich, both Chicago Democrats, will team up Wednesday night in Springfield to roll out a new political comedy routine in concert with Sam`s band.
Speaking of hot . . .
— How hot was it this week? It was so hot in the new State of Illinois Center that some employees went out and bought a thermometer. It registered 90 degrees. ”We were being cooked alive,” says one building tenant. ”Between the heat and the dust from the constant construction, we`re going crazy.”
— Oprah ”The Pistol” Winfrey will be on ”Good Morning America” May 1, discussing ”America`s fascination with morning talk shows.” Meanwhile, if there seems to be just about as much of Oprah to love as there ever was, she`s telling friends that she`s off her diet because she`s got to be nice and hefty for her movie debut in ”The Color Purple.” Still in the planning stages is a deal to syndicate her show nationally.
