http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/08/lobbyists_pay_for_democratic_p.html Chicago Sun-Times Corporations pay for Democratic Party of Illinois Obama reception By Lynn Sweet On August 25, 2008 4:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) DENVER---Democratic Party of Illinois Chairman Michael J. Madigan is hosting a Coors Field reception Wednesday honoring Barack Obama bankrolled by corporations with interests often before the Illinois General Assembly. Madigan is also the powerful Illinois House Speaker. While Obama's campaign does not accept contributions from federal lobbyists and political action committees--and Obama bemoans on the campaign trail the influence corporations have over Congress--the Democratic convention here which will hand Obama the Democratic presidential nomination is being underwritten by a variety of corporate sponsors. The Illinois political community is immune to any example Obama is trying to set. Obama's political warchests took donations from lobbyists and PACs until he launched his presidential bid and Obama's change of heart had no ripple impact back home. Madigan invited all the Illinois delegates to the Obama reception; it is not known if Obama will attend. Even so, it would seem embarrassing for Obama to be feted at a party paid for by companies whose fortunes could depend on a government action. As at past Democratic conventions, Illinois corporate and labor interests pay for a variety of Illinois delegation events. Madigan set aside some hard to get hotel rooms from his allotment for his sponsors. The sponsors listed on the Madigan invitation specifically for Obama are State Farm Insurance; Pepsi; ComEd; Novartis and Midwest Generation. Gov. Blagojevich's reception for Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth is underwritten by MillerCoors. AT&T is a major sponsor of delegation and overall convention activities--throwing a reception for Illinois delegates Monday--and its logo is on the souvenir bags handed out to the convention press. Here's a master list of Illinois events, and where applicable, the entities helping to pay for them. ILLINOIS CONVENTION EVENTS, HOSTS AND UNDERWRITERS. NOT ALL EVENTS HAVE SPONSORS Sunday Mayor Daley the chair of the Illinois delegation Marlowe's Restaurant 501 116th for invited Illinois delegates and guests Monday 7:45 am Illinois Caucus Meeting Sponsor Chicago Federation of Labor/Dennis Gannon 3-6 pm AT&T Reception Grand Hyatt For invited Illinois delegates and guests 9-11 Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) Dessert reception Denver Marriott For Invited Illinois delegates and guests 10-12 Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) Blues Brothers/Second City reception Fabo 11-1 Equality for Illinois Martini reception Denver Marriott For invited Illinois delegates and guests TUESDAY 7:45 am Illinois caucus meeting Sponsor: Association of American Railroads 4-7 pm Mayor Daley reception. Invitation only. 9 pm Gov. Blagojevich honors Illinois VA Director Tammy Duckworth Panzano Restaurant buffet dinner A Friends of Blagojevich event Sponsor: MillerCoors 11-12:30 State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias Martini reception Denver Marriott WEDNESDAY Illinois Caucus Meeting Sponsor: AFL-CIO Affiliates, Mike Corrigan Democratic Party of Illinois Obama reception Sponsors are State Farm Insurance; Pepsi; ComEd; Novartis and Midwest Generation. Senate Democratic Event Sponsors Emil Jones Jim Clayborne and Mattie Hunter Denver Marriott