Wards 1-25

https://www.reformforillinois.org/wards-1-25/

Weak campaign finance laws lead to dark money, expensive super PAC involvement in Chicago’s mayoral race

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/dark-money-contributions-ramp-up-during-the-final-stretch-of-chicago-mayoral-race/

As Election Day looms, super PACs are spending big in Chicago’s mayoral race – and some are hiding where their money is coming from.  RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with the Chicago Tribune about how dark money and these…

Good Governance Candidate Questionnaire Results

https://www.reformforillinois.org/2023-good-governance-candidate-questionnaire-results/

We deserve to know who’s behind super PACs

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/we-deserve-to-know-whos-behind-super-pacs/

“While we may not be able to stem the flow of money [to super PACs], at least we can expose where it’s coming from to give that vital information to voters and prevent the corruption that can arise out of…

2023 Chicago Mayoral Ranked-Choice Voting Poll

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/2023-chicago-mayoral-ranked-choice-voting-poll/

With nine candidates and polls showing no clear front-runner, the race for Chicago mayor is all but certain to head to a costly, divisive runoff. In the meantime, many voters are struggling with whether to vote for the candidate they…

Ranked-choice voting builds momentum in Chicago

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/ranked-choice-voting-builds-momentum-in-chicago/

With a runoff election all but guaranteed in the mayoral race, ranked-choice voting (RCV) is gaining steam in Chicago as a way to prevent runoffs and make elections more democratic. RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan was interviewed on Reset with…

Firms doing business with the city boost super PAC supporting Lightfoot

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/firms-doing-business-with-the-city-boost-super-pac-supporting-lightfoot/

After a super PAC supporting Mayor Lightfoot’s reelection campaign received contributions from four firms that do business with the city, RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with WTTW about how these contributions skirt Chicago’s anti-pay-to-play contribution limits for candidates.  “Of…

Contractors exploit super PAC loophole to support Mayor Lightfoot’s reelection bid

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/contractors-exploit-super-pac-loophole-to-support-mayor-lightfoots-reelection-bid/

RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopolous about how recent contributions to a super PAC supporting Mayor Lightfoot exploit a loophole in the city’s ban on contributions from city contractors to incumbent mayors.  “It’s not illegal, but…

Secret donors to super PAC supporting Vallas highlight the need for reform

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/do-illinois-regulations-on-independent-expenditures-need-reform/

A new super PAC called the Chicago Leadership Committee spent more than $165K to support Paul Vallas’s campaign for mayor, though its donors remain a mystery. RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with the Chicago Tribune about the need for reform:…

Ald. Matt Martin pushes for a hearing on ranked-choice voting in Chicago

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/alderman-matt-martin-pushes-for-a-hearing-on-ranked-choice-voting/

Ald. Matt Martin (47th) introduced a resolution in the Chicago City Council to hold a hearing on ranked-choice voting, and RFI ED Alisa Kaplan was interviewed by Block Club Chicago about RFI’s support for RCV. “Because women, people of color…