RFI in the News

Vallas triggers self-funding loophole in mayoral runoff

After Paul Vallas’s $100K loan to his campaign on March 2nd, both Vallas and Brandon Johnson are able to raise unlimited sums of money during the mayoral runoff. 

RFI ED Alisa Kaplan spoke with WTTW about how Vallas’s loan exploits a loophole in Illinois’ campaign finance law, but is unlikely to significantly change the dynamics of the mayoral race. Willie Wilson’s loans to his campaign last year removed contribution limits in the mayoral race until the February 28th election. 

“[The self-funding loophole] leads to a money arms race where candidates have to rely even more on deep-pocketed special interests and rich people for funding to be competitive,” she said. “Which, in turn, increases the risk of corruption and the pay-to-play politics that contribution limits are meant to prevent.”

Read the article here.


  Back

Reform for Illinois
1658 N. Milwaukee Ave
#100-7279
Chicago, IL 60647
(312) 436-1274
Contact Us