RH

Rick Heidner

RepublicanGovernor of Illinois
↗ Campaign site

Raised

$2,778,791

THE JACKET

Who funds Rick Heidner?

$2,778,791

Source: https://illinoissunshine.org/committees/rick-for-illinois-inc-40926/

undefined$1,181,000(100%)
undefined
DonorCategoryAmountStatus
Rick Heidner (self)$1,000,000alleged/pending
AL-PAC Illinois (Leopardo construction firm executives)$181,000alleged/pending
Showing 2 donors (43% of total raised). See source filing for full breakdown.

Red Flags

🚩conflict_of_interestVideo Gaming Regulator Conflict: Governor Appoints Illinois Gaming Board Members

The Illinois Gaming Board — whose members are appointed by the governor — regulates Gold Rush Gaming, Heidner's own video gaming terminal company. A governor-appointed board oversees licensing, can revoke licenses, and sets VGT operating rules. In 2019, the IGB moved to revoke Gold Rush's license; in 2021, a settlement was reached for $75,000. Heidner would be in a position to influence the composition of the board that regulates his own multimillion-dollar business.

Source: → https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/04/21/video-gambling-operator-pays-75000-in-settlement-as-illinois-gaming-board-drops-attempt-to-revoke-license/

🚩business_associationBusiness Ties to Banker with Alleged Mob Connections (Suspenzi/Parkway Bank)

A 2019 Chicago Tribune investigation found Heidner had long-standing real estate partnerships with Rocco Suspenzi, chairman of Parkway Bank & Trust, whose family concealed secret ownership stakes in the Rosemont Emerald casino alongside alleged mob figures. Rocco Suspenzi invoked the Fifth Amendment at a 2005 Gaming Board hearing. Heidner removed Suspenzi's name from Illinois LLCs two weeks before his 2012 gaming license was approved, but continued doing business together in other states. Heidner denied any organized crime ties.

Source: → https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/10/11/video-gambling-owner-pitching-racetrack-casino-is-in-business-with-family-whose-financial-ties-to-mob-figures-sunk-rosemont-casino/

🚩business_associationReal Estate Partnership with Convicted Bookmaker Dominic Buttitta

Heidner and Dominic Buttitta formed Heidner-Buttitta Properties LLC in 2005 and jointly owned a building in Elgin leased to a bar using Gold Rush machines. Buttitta pleaded guilty in February 2012 to federal charges of running an illegal sportsbook and skimming from a strip club. Heidner removed Buttitta's name from the corporation one week before Buttitta's guilty plea — and two weeks before his gaming license was approved by the IGB.

Source: → https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/10/11/video-gambling-owner-pitching-racetrack-casino-is-in-business-with-family-whose-financial-ties-to-mob-figures-sunk-rosemont-casino/

🚩regulatory$5 Million Federal Tax Lien (2023)

In April 2023, the IRS filed a $5,083,274 federal tax lien against Rick and Alisa Heidner personally for unpaid 2021 income taxes. A spokesman attributed the shortfall to an accounting reclassification and rising interest rates, stating the balance would be paid through an IRS installment plan by August 2023.

Source: → https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/7/14/23794309/rick-heidner-alisa-gold-rush-amusements-irs-income-taxes-illinois-video-gambling-king

🚩regulatoryIllinois Gaming Board License Revocation Attempt (2019) and $75,000 Settlement (2021)

In December 2019 the Illinois Gaming Board moved to revoke Gold Rush Gaming's state license, alleging Heidner offered an illegal $5 million inducement to induce the owner of the Stella's and Shelby's gambling cafe chain not to switch suppliers. In April 2021, Gold Rush paid $75,000 ($45,000 in investigative costs + $30,000 fine for 'unprofessional conduct') and the IGB dropped revocation proceedings. Neither party admitted wrongdoing.

Source: → https://www.chicagotribune.com/2021/04/21/video-gambling-operator-pays-75000-in-settlement-as-illinois-gaming-board-drops-attempt-to-revoke-license/

Bio

Rick Heidner, 65, is a Barrington Hills real estate developer and the founder of Gold Rush Gaming, the third-largest video gaming terminal operator in Illinois with machines in nearly 800 bars, restaurants, and gas stations statewide. He also owns Heidner Properties (280+ commercial properties nationally, headquartered in Hoffman Estates), the Ricky Rockets Fuel Centers gas station chain, and wholesale fuel supplier Prairie State Energy. Heidner and his wife Alisa founded Gold Rush Gaming in 2012; the company's machines have processed roughly $3 billion in bets in a recent 12-month period. He has zero prior elected or appointed public office experience. He entered the 2026 GOP governor primary on October 22, 2025 — less than two weeks before the petition deadline — with his running mate Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike.

Prior office: None

Key Votes

  • N/AN/A — No prior elected office

    Heidner has never held elected or appointed public office and has no legislative voting record. Key positions are derived from campaign statements and candidate questionnaires.

  • Settlement agreement — Gold Rush pays $75,000, IGB drops revocationIllinois Gaming Board — Gold Rush License Settlement (April 2021)

    Gold Rush Gaming, under Heidner's direction, agreed to a $75,000 settlement with the Illinois Gaming Board to resolve the December 2019 license revocation proceeding and related lawsuits, including suits accusing IGB staff of leaking sensitive information. The board voted unanimously to approve.

  • Proposed development blocked post-Tribune investigationTinley Park Racino Proposal (2019) — Blocked by Pritzker Administration

    Heidner partnered with Hawthorne Racecourse president Tim Carey to develop a horse racing track and casino on state-owned land in Tinley Park. Following the October 2019 Tribune investigation revealing Heidner's business ties to figures with alleged mob connections, Gov. Pritzker halted the sale of the state-owned site in October 2019. Heidner has said the blocking was unfair and denies it was justified.

  • Supports — stated positionGovernor Proposed: Two-Term Limit for Governor (2026 campaign)

    Heidner has stated he would pursue a two-term limit specifically for the Illinois governor's office on day one of his administration, citing Pritzker's third-term bid as the impetus. He has not publicly proposed broader term limits for the legislature.

  • Opposes — wants repeal or full restartSAFE-T Act — Pretrial Fairness/Cash Bail Elimination (2021 IL law)

    Heidner has called for scrapping the SAFE-T Act entirely, saying 'let's just probably start all over because it's got to stop.' He cites the November 2025 case in which a man with a lengthy criminal history set a Chicago woman on fire on the CTA as evidence the law fails public safety.

  • Opposes — would repealTRUST Act — Illinois Sanctuary Law (signed by Republican Gov. Rauner, 2017)

    Heidner supports abolishing the TRUST Act and allowing local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, arguing that six to eight weeks of law enforcement cooperation would have resolved the Operation Midway Blitz situation.