Millionaire Chicago Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson launched a unique campaign strategy over the weekend, literally handing out cash to supporters at a church in the Windy City’s South Side neighborhood.
Cool!
As long as no laws were violated I am all for it!
Good for Willie!
Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich said the fact that the money came from Wilson’s foundation seems to allow him to avoid running afoul of campaign finance laws.
“As far as we can see, it looks like he didn’t use campaign funds for this,” Dietrich said. “And there doesn’t appear to have been any quid pro quo, like, ‘Here’s some money, vote for me.’ So from our perspective, it doesn’t look like there was anything illegal about this.”
The OP offered no evidence that those people who are receiving LEGAL cash donations from Willie are in any actuality political “supporters”.
Could they decide to become Willie supporters, well of course, but he did nothing illegal, he did not do what he did as any “pay to play”.
It is just more ongoing charity work he and his wife have been known for.
A self made millionaire philanthropic man is being trashed by the Right for his legal philanthropy?
Imagine that.
Jerks!
Board of Elections says Wilson’s cash giveaway didn’t violate rules
That is the headline of the News Article the OP links to in regards what is happening in Chicago.
Why didn’t that become the OP Thread Headline instead of the misleading one that was used?
From My Link:
The Illinois State Board of Elections said Wilson didn’t break any campaign finance laws because the money came from his non-profit foundation.
An aide to Wilson said the businessman gave away $300,000 to 2,000 people through the Dr. Willie Wilson Foundation, a 501(c)(3). Such organizations are tax-exempt, must not be organized for the benefit of private interests and are restricted in how much political activities they can conduct. Wilson says he organized the giveaway to assist homeowners who are struggling to pay their property tax bills.
