Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

The Campaign Financing Ordinance (Chapter 2-164 of the Municipal Code of Chicago) limits the political campaign contributions to candidates for any elected office of the government of the City of Chicago; it also limits the gifts such candidates may accept. Under the Ordinance, each candidate must file a Statement of Financial Interests with the Board of Ethics. This pamphlet highlights the main provisions of that Ordinance. To the extent that the summary differs from the language of the Ordinance, the language of the Ordinance is controlling. Complete copies of the Ordinance are available upon request.

Who are Candidates?

Under the Ordinance an individual qualifies as a candidate when the individual:

(1) takes the action necessary under the laws of this State to attempt to qualify for nomination for election, for election to, or for retention in a City office, or

(2) receives contributions or makes expenditures, or gives consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures, with a view to bringing about his or her nomination for election, election to, or retention in a City office.

Limitation of Contributions

No person who has done business with the City within the last four reporting years or who is seeking to do business with the City shall contribute more than $1,500 to:

• any candidate for City office during a single candidacy (candidacies in the primary and the general elections are considered separate and distinct);

• any elected official of the City during any reporting year of his or her term;

• any City official or employee who is seeking election to any other office.

The subsidiaries, parent companies, and otherwise affiliated companies of an entity doing business or seeking to do business with the City, as well as their employees, officers, directors, and partners, who make a political contribution for which they are reimbursed by the entity are considered a single person for purposes of the contribution limitations described above.

Candidates, their spouses, and their minor children shall not accept any anonymous contributions.

Candidates, their spouses, and their minor children shall not accept contributions based on an understanding, either implicit or explicit, that the candidate's votes, official actions, decisions, or judgments as an elected official of City government would be influenced thereby.

A contribution to a candidate's political fundraising committee is considered a contribution to the candidate.

Candidates and their committees shall or accept any anonymous contribution, or a contribution given in any name other true donor.

Financial Interest Disclosure Statement

Question: Who must file?

Answer: Every candidate for City office must file a Statement of Financial Forms can be obtained by calling the Board of Ethics.

Question: When to file?

Answer: Within five days after qualifying as a candidate. (See 'Who are candidates?')

Question:

Where to file?

Answer: All candidates for election office (except aldermen running for re-election) shall file their Statements of Financial Interests with the Board of Ethics. Aldermen must Statements with the City Clerk.

NOTE: No elected official will be allowed to take the oath of office, continue in receive compensation from the City unless he or she has filed a Statement Financial Interests.

Gifts and Favors

Candidates, their spouses, and their minor children shall not accept any anonymous gifts.

Candidates, their spouses, and their minor children shall not accept anything of value, such as a gift, favor, or promise of future employment, based on an understanding, either implicit or explicit, that the candidate's votes, official actions, decisions, or judgments as an elected official of the City government would be influenced thereby.