William J. Kelly
William J. Kelly is a TV personality and sportscaster based in Chicago, Illinois. William Kelly formed a production house in 1992 called Rev Productions and produces the Emmy award-winning Upscale TV1, which aired on UPN, MY50, and then had a three year run on WFLD-TV (FOX) from 2005-2008 and Sportsaholic 2, which currently airs on Comcast SportsNet, DISH, and Direct TV throughout the Midwestern U.S. He is an alum of Second City's Conservatory in Chicago.
Onscreen, Kelly is known for trademark rowdy antics mixed with irreverent commentary, a love for beer, and the humorist's distinctive laugh. FOX General Manager Patrick Mullen gave Upscale TV high marks in Sun-Times TV columnist Robert Feder's column: 'Upscale Chicago’ has definitely proven itself a dynamic performer this entire year,” says Fox General Manager Patrick Mullen. “With its combination of celebrity interviews, wit and style, the series has built a well-deserved fan base that we expect will grow on FOX.”3. Other publications like indie magazine, Newcity said of Kelly: "Basically it’s like choosing between Rick Steves and Willy Wonka for your tour guide: it’s the same place, but Wonka is sure to show you one hell of a better time.” 4
Before he went into the TV business, William J. Kelly was previously the Executive Director of the National Taxpayers Union of Illinois, where he protested anti-tax policies and called out politicians who flip-flopped on campaign promises. The National Review featured Kelly in an article called, "Rebel with a Cause," spotlighting a controversial freedom of speech case involving President Bill Clinton. In 1994, Kelly interrupted a speech by Clinton, confronted him about his broken campaign promise of a middle class tax cut from the back of the Sheraton Chicago ballroom. The President scolded Kelly for his rudeness and Kelly left without incident. Three hours later, federal agents arrested Kelly at his home on federal charges. Kelly spent the next 72 hours strip-searched and handcuffed in federal lock-up at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. After fighting the charges for the next six months, he decided to announce a run for Congress against Rep. Bobby Rush, a former Black Panther Party member, to bring the spotlight to his case. Soon after, the charges were dropped.
Though Kelly's chances of winning the heavily Democratic first congressional district seat was slim, the Republican candidate used the opportunity to target Rep. Rush on his own tax situation. Kelly crashed the Democrat congressman's press conference and made news by drawing attention to more than $50,000 in unpaid back taxes, child support, and parking ticket scofflaws.
In 2009, Kelly announced a run for Illinois Comptroller. His campaign website 5 states that he is running on a campaign platform to be Illinois' first activist comptroller against former Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and pledges to open up Illinois' finances to government watchdogs and full public scrutiny. Kelly's comedic TV personality and funny TV antics have been made an issue by his political opponents. Clips from the TV show, "Upscale TV" and "Sportsaholic" were subject of some viral news stories. Kelly's campaign states that most people understand that the clips are from a TV show, not real life. His website states that Kelly's campaign is about "real people for a change."6