Pro-Referendum Group Gets $10K Donation From LinkedIn Exec

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - A political committee supporting the North Shore School District 112 ballot referendum received a $10,000 donation on Wednesday from a top dog at LinkedIn.

Highland Park resident Michael Gamson made a donation of $10,000 to the “Yes for District 112 Referendum” committee, according to an Illinois State Board of Elections disclosure statement.

Gamson, the senior vice president of global solutions at professional networking site LinkedIn, brought in more than $6 million in total compensation in 2014 including a salary of $481,250 according to Salary.com.

Gamson, a former financial analyst at Bank of America and senior manager at Advent Software, paid just under $1.1 million for a lot on Hazel Avenue in 2014 according to Crain’s Chicago. A Hazel Avenue address was also used in the disclosure statement filed Wednesday.

The beneficiary of the donation, “YES for District 112 Referendum,” is chaired by Leonard Tenner and has a purpose for “advocacy in support of anticipated bond referendum to fund construction, reconfiguration and renovation of District 112 school buildings,” according to Illinois Sunshine. Daniel Weil is listed as the committee’s treasurer.

All political donations of $1,000 or more must be submitted to the State Board of Elections within two days.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Gamson is a Highland Park High School graduate.