Aurora mayor proposes $500 limit on campaign donations from people, businesses doing business with the city
Aurora Mayor John Laesch has proposed limiting campaign contributions from individuals or companies seeking to do business with the city to just $500 a year per official.
The first-term mayor also wants elected officials, candidates and city workers to provide more information about their economic interests beyond what is already required under state law.
“Aurora residents deserve a transparent and accountable government that works for everyone,” Laesch said in a news release. “Through this proposed ordinance, I intend to modernize the city’s ethics framework, eliminate outdated and duplicative rules, strengthen transparency and accountability, and align our city with state law and best practices.”
When he campaigned for mayor, Laesch said there was a perception that Aurora practices pay-to-play politics, where those who donate get preferential treatment when it comes to city contracts. He wanted an outright ban on campaign contributions from contractors and real-estate developers.
Laesch cited a case where a developer who donated to former mayor Richard Irvin’s campaign ended up receiving up to $15 million in financial incentives from the city.
Aldermen question it
The city council’s rules, administration and procedure committee discussed the measure earlier this week.
Alderman Carl Franco criticized the proposal.
“When I see a billionaire governor give tens of thousands of dollars to a candidate here, to me that is not a level playing field,” Franco said.
Laesch received more than $192,000 in in-kind contributions, such as advertisements and mailers on his behalf, from the Democratic Party of Illinois.
“We’re singling out certain things (local businesses) because other people could not get money from them, because maybe they (the candidate) were anti-capitalism or whatever,” Franco said. Franco supported Irvin for mayor.
Alderman Shweta Baid said she would like language added that prohibits political action committees from donating and prohibits pass-through donations via PACs.
Other changes
The proposal would also require officials to provide more information on the economic interest statements they file annually with the city.
Currently, the form asks seven questions. Laesch would add to that, requiring candidates to disclose real estate assets, entity ownership, membership in city-funded organizations, and any gift or loan forgiveness of more than $150.
It would also require lobbyists to register with the city and prevent them from donating to campaigns.
The committee took no action but requested more information from city staff. The committee’s next meeting is Oct. 21.