Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois

Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois (ABDI), located in Springfield, IL, has 139 active members. While the group actively lobbied against a decrease in Illinois' legal intoxication limit for over eight years, ABDI has also supported legislation to increase penalties for repeated DUI offenders and intoxicated drivers with children in the car. ABDI has been criticized for hosting extravagant parties, including one $18,000 legislative outing attended by only 20 government officials. The ABDI's largest political concerns involve the state and federal taxes levied upon their products. ABDI also supports restrictions on direct sales of wine in Illinois.

Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois is a career patron of House Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka (R), Senate President Emil Jones (D), Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson (R), and Republican Leader Tom Cross (R).

From January 1, 1993 through June 30, 2006, Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois gave $4.302 million to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 51% of which went to Republicans.

Last revised September 2006.