Politicians Campaign Funds for D.A. Votes Pending High Court Decision

Politicians are literally in the crosshairs of federal investigators. They think elected officials shouldn’t be able to dip into their campaign funds to pay defense attorneys. This is what a freshman alderman says. There has to be a change in state law. That is to cut off what is being called the politicians’ legal piggy banks.

Politicians Campaign Funds and Arguments in Cases

Chicago Illinois’ highest court is now, in fact, deliberating that contentious issue. That is in the court. Chief Justice Anne Burke, whose indicted husband Ald. Ed Burke (14th) has, in fact, put out about $2 million in campaign cash. It would be to lawyers involved in his public corruption case.

On Wednesday, the five remaining state Supreme Court justices have heard arguments. They are contingent on the high-priced criminal defenses that several Illinois offices. They had to come up with the amount to the personal” expenses which are prohibiting by campaign finance law.

The Roots of the Legal Abuse

In 2019, the legal saga did start. It occurred when Ald Byron Sigcho-Lopez did file a complaint that did allege that Danny Solis. He is the former 25th Ward alderperson he did replace the $220,000 was improperly used from his campaign fund. To, in fact, cover legal fees as he found himself under the federal microscope. It is under an expansive public corruption probe.

“The $220,000 Danny Solis did owe is what is regularly considering a personal debt,” Sigcho-Lopez’s attorney, Adolfo Mondragon. It was arguing before the state Supreme Court in the local city.

“It’s a personal debt. It was not a campaign debt because he was not running for office. Also, it can’t be said to be a business debt or a public debt. The legal services the firm did provide were for the direct satisfaction of Solis’ criminal defense needs.”

Attorney Michael Dorf, which represented the 25th Ward Regular Democratic Organization. It has been noting that the state law did specifically banning the use of the campaign funds for clothing. Plus the club membership dues, tuition and there were other perks. “There is no prohibition that is against the payment of the legal fees.”