COLLINSVILLE – A complaint was recently filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections over claims a Madison County judicial candidate has not met certain campaign finance disclosure requirements.
A verified complaint for a violation of the Campaign Disclosure Act was filed on Oct. 29, 2026, by Attorney Michael Wesley on behalf of Madison County Board Member Paul Nicolussi. It alleges Madison County Circuit Judge candidate Marc Parker has not created a campaign committee or filed certain public financial reports as required in Illinois once a candidate raises or spends over $5,000 in a year.
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Nicolussi claims Parker has not formed a new campaign committee since his last campaign committee closed in 2018, after Parker lost his first run for circuit judge to Republican David Dugan.
“He hasn’t reported a dime of his own campaign spending,” said Nicolussi, who lives and works in the subcircuit where Parker is running. “I filed now because I hope he clears this up before Election Day. Voters deserve that.”
Parker has reportedly claimed he cannot form a campaign committee because he is a sitting state Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. While Illinois law prohibits paid, Senate-confirmed appointees from having such a committee, the law requiring a committee to be formed once a candidate raises or spends over $5,000 in a year contains no exception for commissioners.
The State Board of Elections will now hold a hearing to decide whether Nicolussi’s complaint has merit. If the board finds the complaint has merit, the board can order Parker to file the required reports. With the Nov. 3, 2026 elections approaching quickly, a final decision on the complaint is required within seven days.
“I respect anyone willing to run for judge,” Nicolussi said. “But voters deserve the truth before the election, not after.”
