Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Willie Wilson cleared, handouts denounced, but will resume tomorrow

Posted in:

Illinois

Chicago Mayoral Candidate Dr. Willie Wilson has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a cash giveaway last month.

The Illinois State Board of Elections voted unanimously to exonerate Wilson, who was accused of mixing politics and charity work

At a July 22 cash giveaway at a South Side church, Wilson handed out $40,000 of his own money to needy people. He also wrote checks worth $200,000 from his charitable foundation to help people with their property taxes.

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform filed a complaint about the event.

“It was a nonsense complaint, we proved it was a nonsense, the hearing officer found for us, the board found for us, and the legal counsel also found for us,” said Wilson’s attorney, Frank Avila.

* ICPR…

As Illinois’ leading nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the role of money in politics and encouraging government transparency, ICPR sought an Illinois State Board of Elections ruling on whether the giveaway should have been reported as an “in-kind contribution” to Wilson’s campaign. The state board voted in Wilson’s favor and said disclosure wasn’t needed, in part because it determined that connections between Wilson’s campaign and the Dr. Willie Wilson Foundation event were mistakes. […]

“Transparency is the only real safeguard Illinois voters have after decades of costly corruption scandals. ICPR will work to ensure that lone safeguard is not whittled away,” said ICPR Executive Director Mary Miro. “ICPR has tremendous respect for Dr. Wilson and his philanthropy, and has never wanted to stop his charitable activities. ICPR only wants to ensure that such activities are appropriately disclosed when they are closely aligned with a campaign for public office.”

* Common Cause Illinois…

The people have had enough with pay-to-play politics and are ready for change. While the Illinois State Board of Elections may technically be correct in their ruling that Willie Wilson’s recent cash handouts are legal, that does not make them right.

Illinois voters deserve a campaign focused on creating an accountable government for the people, not one where millionaires and billionaires can self-fund their campaigns and partisan politicians can play tricks to essentially buy votes. That’s why Common Cause Illinois will continue to organize people in support of and push the state legislature and localities across the state - including Cook County and the city of Chicago - to prioritize and pass campaign finance reform that lifts the voices of everyday Illinois citizens and reduces the influence of wealthy special interests and big money in politics.

* Willie Wilson…

HUMANITARIAN DR. WILLIE WILSON RESUMES ASSISTING PROPERTY TAXPAYERS…FOR NOW

WHO: Humanitarian Dr. Willie Wilson and The Dr. Willie Wilson Foundation

WHAT: For the third time this year, Dr. Willie Wilson will financially assist Cook County property taxpayers who are drowning under outrageously high tax bills and, many, in danger of losing their homes.

Those receiving help must pre-apply, through the foundation, and must have their tax bill and matching, personal identification for proper vetting and fulfillment by Foundation staff.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 28, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Cook County Treasurer’s Office | 118 N. Clark St. | 2nd Floor | Chicago IL

WHY: To complete the commitment made to taxpayers for this year. “I will die and go to heaven before I stop helping the needy.” –Dr. Willie Wilson

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 2:38 pm

Comments

Can’t the board’s decision be appealed? Seems like a really bad precedent has been set here.

Comment by TopHatMonocle Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 3:17 pm
This is a clear indicator the law needs to be changed. Wilson is buying “goodwill” at the very least. It’s nice that he is now having people pre-apply and have paperwork/proof, it makes it seem more legit than giving anyone he meets cash, but everyone knows what he is doing.

Comment by Perrid Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 3:23 pm
It’s his money, its not illegal, its unsavory to almost everyone, (except those who got theirs), so get over it. It certainly can’t be called underhanded - unlike most slimy Chicago political doings. “Hypocrites Unite and Save Goodness’

Comment by Matts Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 3:25 pm
This is what Citizens United has brought us.

Comment by Generic Drone Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 3:58 pm
Patronage jobs. Pork barrel spending. Cash handouts. Whatever it takes to get elected.

Comment by BlueDogDem Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 4:00 pm
This whole “help the needy” pay property tax bills is very odd to me. I have worked with working class people all of my life. The overwhelming majority of the needy rent–they do not own and pay property taxes. Secondly, the churches he is passing money out at are mostly middle class, not needy. The needy also aren’t “pre-applying” for this assistance through his foundation. By all means, rich people of every stripe, give away money. But let’s not try to make it sound like something it’s not.

Comment by Molly Maguire Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 4:04 pm
**This is what Citizens United has brought us.**

This literally has nothing to do with Citizens United.

Comment by JoeMaddon Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 4:19 pm
Aldermen are giving away bookbags now and they will be giving turkeys for Thanksgiving. As sketchy as this looks to me it only looks like a difference of degree rather than a difference of kind compared to those examples.

Comment by Fax Machine Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 4:27 pm
What would the Wilson/Rauner folks say if Pritzker did the same thing but added a few more zeros?

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 4:46 pm
“This litterly has absolutely nothing to do with Citizens United”

It has everything to do with Citizens United. Citizens United green lighted the graft and corruption that our political system has become. The idea it’s ok to hand out money to buy votes is ingrained into politics. What exactly do you think Wilson was trying to accomplish?

Comment by Generic Drone Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 5:28 pm
So there was no graft and corruption in Illinois before Citizens United? Seriously? (Also, I would love a hater of Citizens United to cogently explain why President Trump should have to power to ban a movie, because that is what Citizens United concerned: the alleged ability of the Feds to ban a movie.)

Comment by Anon Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 6:31 pm
Of course there was graft and corruption before Citizens United. It just wasn’t legalized til then. Wow. I can see why this country is so messed up with voters who are perfectly ok with Citizens United. Geesh.

Comment by Generic Drone Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 7:34 pm
What about that million dollar deposit Rauner made in a South Side credit union, right before he was elected? It made for a great photo op.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 27, 18 @ 9:36 pm
Willie been doing this for years.. I really don’t care. Next issue

Comment by Austinman Tuesday, Aug 28, 18 @ 8:25 am