Chicago Passes New Ethics Ordinance Targeting Lobbyist Contributions to Mayoral Campaigns

Chicago City Council approves measures to strengthen campaign finance laws amid rising public concerns

Chicago City CouncilPhoto byScreen Capture/Youtube Video [Creator]

CHICAGO - In a significant move to strengthen trust in local government, the Chicago City Council unanimously passed a new ethics ordinance on Wednesday, aimed at curbing lobbyist donations to mayoral campaigns. This decision comes after Mayor Brandon Johnson dropped his initial resistance to the plan, marking a turning point in the city's effort to reinforce campaign finance regulations.

The newly approved ordinance prohibits lobbyists from contributing to a mayor’s or mayoral candidate’s political committee. It introduces fines and suspensions for lobbyists who violate this rule. Ald. Matt Martin, who sponsored the legislation, stressed the importance of this measure, especially in light of the numerous cases in which Chicago City Hall officials have faced legal consequences.

"It is critical we strengthen the trust people have in local government," Martin, the chair of the Ethics Committee, stated during the session. The ordinance reestablishes a 2011 executive order signed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, which initially barred lobbyist donations but had been effectively unenforceable in recent years.

Martin proposed the ordinance after the city’s ethics board found itself unable to take action on several cases involving registered lobbyists improperly donating to Johnson’s campaign committee. The ethics board concluded that it lacked the legal authority to enforce the 2011 executive order. Martin’s ordinance restores the integrity of that order, making it a binding regulation for future elections.

Initially, Mayor Johnson and his administration opposed the legislation, arguing that it did not extend to other politicians beyond the mayoral office. His allies in the City Council stalled the legislation with procedural delays in June. On the same day, Johnson called for a "full comprehensive ethics package" to be considered instead of the narrower scope of the ordinance.

However, after negotiations between Martin and the mayor's office, revisions were made to the ordinance, addressing concerns over bribery prohibitions and disclosure requirements. "When we have an opportunity to make sure we are not taking a step backward when it comes to longstanding campaign finance laws, we need to take that," Martin said.

The council’s busy session also included the approval of $15.1 million in settlements related to lawsuits against the city. The largest of these, an $11.6 million settlement, was awarded to Anthony Jakes, a man who served 20 years in prison following a coerced confession to a 1991 murder, which a judge later ruled to have been obtained improperly.

Additionally, the council confirmed the appointment of Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. as the new chair of the Zoning Committee and approved Sharla Roberts as the city’s chief procurement officer, ending a long search to fill the role.

In other actions, the council passed an ordinance requiring that data generated by Chicago residents and employees be stored within the U.S., with incentives for storing data within Illinois. The council also extended an anti-gentrification measure aimed at preserving affordable housing near the 606 trail on the Northwest Side.