William McCann
William McCann (Republican Party) (also known as Sam) was a member of the Illinois State Senate, representing District 50. McCann assumed office in 2013. McCann left office on January 9, 2019.
McCann (Conservative Party) ran for election for Governor of Illinois. McCann lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
He ran on a joint ticket with the lieutenant gubernatorial nominee, Aaron Merreighn (Conservative Party).
McCann previously represented District 49 in the Illinois State Senate from 2011 to 2013.
Biography
McCann's professional experience included owning and operating McCann Construction Company and serving as president of the Home Builders Association of Illinois and president of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.
Committee assignments
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Agriculture |
| • Committee of the Whole |
| • Environment and Conservation |
| • Gaming |
| • Government Reform |
| • Higher Education |
| • Public Health |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, McCann served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Agriculture and Conservation |
| • Environment and Conservation |
| • Higher Education |
| • Local Government |
| • Public Health |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, McCann served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Agriculture and Conservation, Minority Spokesperson |
| • Committee of the Whole |
| • Executive Appointments |
| • Higher Education |
| • Local Government |
| • Transportation |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, McCann served on these committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Agriculture and Conservation, Ranking Minority Member |
| • Commerce |
| • Committee of the Whole |
| • Financial Institutions |
| • Higher Education |
| • Transportation |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Governor of Illinois
J.B. Pritzker defeated incumbent Bruce Rauner, William McCann, and Grayson Jackson in the general election for Governor of Illinois on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | J.B. Pritzker (D) | 54.5 | 2,479,746 |
 | Bruce Rauner (R) | 38.8 | 1,765,751 | |
 | William McCann (Conservative Party) | 4.2 | 192,527 | |
 | Grayson Jackson (L) | 2.4 | 109,518 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 115 | ||
| Total votes: 4,547,657 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Illinois
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Governor of Illinois on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | J.B. Pritzker | 45.1 | 597,756 |
 | Daniel K. Biss | 26.7 | 353,625 | |
 | Chris Kennedy | 24.4 | 322,730 | |
 | Tio Hardiman | 1.6 | 21,075 | |
 | Bob Daiber | 1.1 | 15,009 | |
 | Robert Marshall | 1.1 | 14,353 | |
| Total votes: 1,324,548 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Illinois
Incumbent Bruce Rauner defeated Jeanne M. Ives in the Republican primary for Governor of Illinois on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bruce Rauner | 51.5 | 372,124 |
 | Jeanne M. Ives | 48.5 | 350,038 | |
| Total votes: 722,162 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Governor of Illinois
Grayson Jackson defeated Matthew Scaro and Jon Stewart in the Libertarian primary for Governor of Illinois on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Grayson Jackson |
| Matthew Scaro | ||
 | Jon Stewart | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
- See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Illinois State Senate were held in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was November 30, 2015.[1]
Incumbent William "Sam" McCann ran unopposed in the Illinois State Senate District 50 general election.[2][3]
| Illinois State Senate, District 50 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican |  William "Sam" McCann Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Illinois State Board of Elections | ||
Incumbent William "Sam" McCann defeated Bryce Benton in the Illinois State Senate District 50 Republican primary.[4][5]
| Illinois State Senate, District 50 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | William "Sam" McCann Incumbent |
52.67% | 21,663 | |
| Republican | Bryce Benton | 47.33% | 19,469 | |
| Total Votes | 41,132 | |||
2016 primary
- Main article: Battleground Illinois primary elections, 2016
Along with the House District 5 race, the Senate District 50 race had been one of the most hotly contested campaigns in Illinois. According to the Chicago Tribune, "No race this election cycle grips the soul of Illinois politics right now more than this one." The race pitted McCann, who bucked his party in a vote on public unions, against Benton, who was endorsed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.[6][7]
Public pensions and public unions are major issues in the state and played key roles in the race between McCann and Benton. In August 2015, McCann cast the sole Republican vote in favor of a bill that would weaken Gov. Rauner's negotiating power with public sector unions. McCann angered Rauner and other Republicans by his vote, allowing the state Senate to override Rauner's veto. McCann responded that he was representing his constituents, many of whom are state workers. "At the end of the day, I don’t work for the governor," McCann later said.[8][9]
Benton said he would have voted against overriding Rauner's veto. "The governor has endorsed me because he knows that I won’t bow to the demands of special interests and will fight for all of central Illinois," Benton said.[7]
Campaign finance
Several different groups poured money into the race, favoring either McCann or Benton. McCann picked up union support from AFSCME Council 31, Illinois' largest public employee union and the group negotiating with Gov. Rauner. McCann was also endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, as well as some conservative groups such as the National Rifle Association and Illinois Citizens for Life.[10][11]
Liberty Principles PAC, a group begun by conservative talk show host and former gubernatorial candidate Dan Proft, reportedly spent around $1.3 million in favor of Benton. Liberty Principles PAC had financial support from Gov. Rauner's Super PAC, Turnaround Illinois, which gave $1.81 million to Liberty Principles PAC. Proft's group ran ads tying McCann with House Speaker Michael Madigan (D), whose party had a 71-vote veto-proof majority in the state House.[8][12][13]
Benton also received endorsements from U.S House Rep. John Shimkus, Family PAC, the Illinois Network of Charter Schools Action PAC, and the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune endorsed Benton for his stance on union matters. "Taxpayers cannot afford to keep sending lawmakers to Springfield who are unwilling to stand up to union leadership at least some of the time," the paper stated.[14][6]
2012
- See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2012
McCann won re-election in the 2012 election for Illinois State Senate District 50. McCann defeated Gray Noll in the Republican primary on March 20, 2012, and was unopposed in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[15][16][17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William "Sam" McCann |
100% | 81,976 | |
| Total Votes | 81,976 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
William McCann |
63.4% | 14,739 |
| Gray Noll | 36.6% | 8,514 |
| Total Votes | 23,253 | |
2010
- See also: Illinois State Senate elections, 2010
McCann won in the November 2 general election against Deanna Demuzio.[19]
| Illinois State Senate, District 49 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| William "Sam" McCann (R)
|
35,614 | 51.36% | ||
| Deanna Demuzio (D) | 33,733 | 48.64% | ||
The primary election was on February 2, 2010, and the general election was on November 2. Many political experts view the race between McCann and DeMuzio as one of the most expensive out of all contested in 2010[20].
McCann was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune.[21]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Illinois scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2018
In 2018, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 31.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that "help or hinder Illinois citizens with developmental disabilities access more included lives in their homes and communities."'
- Legislators are scored on their votes on manufacturing issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2017, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31. There were also special sessions. The 1st special session was June 21-July 6. The 2nd special session was July 26-July 31. During the 3rd special session, the Senate met on August 13, and the House met on August 16. The 4th special session was on August 28-29. There was a veto session from October 24-November 9.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 through May 31.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 14 through December 7 (extended session).
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2014, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 29 through June 2.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 31.
|
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2012, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31.
|
Noteworthy events
Guilty of corruption charges (2024)
On February 15, 2024, McCann pleaded guilty to seven counts of wire fraud and one count each of money laundering and tax evasion in an illegal use of campaign funds for personal expenses.[24] On July 9, 2024, U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless sentenced McCann to 42 months in federal prison, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $683,816.61 in restitution.[25][26]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
McCann and his wife, Vicki, have two children.
See also
- Illinois State Senate
- Senate Committees
- Illinois State Legislature
- Illinois state legislative districts
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- McCann's campaign website
- Biography, bills and committees at the Illinois General Assembly
- Profile from Open States
- Summary, biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Profile at Wikipedia
- Campaign contributions: 2012, 2010
Footnotes
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election and Campaign Finance Calendar," accessed November 30, 2015
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate list: General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election results, General election 2016," accessed December 15, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed January 3, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election Results: GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/15/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chicago Tribune, "Chicago Tribune endorsements for the Illinois Senate," February 26, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 State Journal-Register, "Gov. Rauner endorses Bryce Benton in Illinois Senate race," accessed March 2, 2016
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Huffington Post, "Madigan vs. Rauner Proxy Wars Shattering Primary Spending Records," February 25, 2016
- ↑ State Journal-Register, "Gov. Rauner endorses Bryce Benton in Illinois Senate race," February 12, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Sunshine, "Sam McCann for Senate Candidate Committee," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ McCann for Senate, "Endorsements," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Sunshine, "Liberty Principles PAC: Super PAC," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ State Journal-Register, "Statehouse Insider: Opponents find common ground bashing Chicago," February 27, 2016
- ↑ Elect Bruce Benton, "Endorsements," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ thetelegraph.com, "Republican announces candidacy for 50th Senate seat," September 14, 2011
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed December 5, 2011
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed May 14, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, “Official Vote - November 6, 2012 General Election,” accessed December 31, 2012
- ↑ Illinois Board of Elections, "2010 Illinois General Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑ Chicago Press Release, "Downstate House Races Proving Expensive Battlegrounds"
- ↑ Chicago Tribune Endorsement
- ↑ Citizen Action Illinois, "99th General Assembly Legislative Scorecard 2016," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑ Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities, "2016 Illinois Community Living Report," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑ Capitol News Illinois, "In last-minute reversal, former Sen. Sam McCann pleads guilty to corruption charges," February 15, 2024
- ↑ Capitol News Illinois, "Former GOP state lawmaker, candidate for governor sentenced to 42 months in prison," July 9, 2024
- ↑ United States Attorney's Office Central District of Illinois, "Candidate Sam McCann Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Fraudulent Use of Campaign Funds, Money Laundering, and Tax Evasion," July 10, 2024
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Larry Bomke (R) |
Illinois Senate District 50 2013–2019 |
Succeeded by Steve McClure (R) |
| Preceded by Deanna Demuzio |
Illinois Senate District 49 2011–2013 |
Succeeded by Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D) |
