(CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS) A longtime conservative political activist is firing back against allegations he illegally coordinated with Darren Bailey during the former state senator’s unsuccessful run for governor in 2022. 

Capitol News Illinois reports the State Board of Elections held a public hearing on the case Monday morning. The hearing was triggered by a complaint from the head of Illinois’ Democratic party.

Dan Proft heads up the conservative “People Who Play by The Rules PAC.” The Democratic Party of Illinois accuses Proft and his PAC of coordinating with Bailey’s campaign through a backroom meeting and through Bailey’s appearances on Proft’s radio show. 

Bailey’s lawyer rejects the accusation, noting that the state’s rules on what constitutes “coordination” are unclear. They also argue there has been no precedent for this kind of complaint. 

The Board of Elections is expected to issue a decision in the coming months.