Chicago mayor doesn't directly address campaign fundraising

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is addressing allegations of pay-to-play politics raised by his challengers by discussing efforts to improve ethics.

Emanuel seeks a second term on Feb. 24. He faces four challengers.

Alderman Bob Fioretti and other candidates claim Emanuel has been engaged in pay-to-play politics. They cite a recent Chicago Tribune investigation which looked at more than $30 million in campaign contributions since the mayor's first run in 2010. The newspaper reported Emanuel went back to the same donors and many benefited from city government, including receiving contracts and zoning changes.

Emanuel won't address the allegations directly. Instead he touts adopting ethics rules in his first days in office. He adds that a court-appointed monitor put in place after decades of patronage hiring was lifted under his administration.