Democrat Mayoral Candidate in Chicago Hands Out Cash to Potential Voters
Peter D'Abrosca
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A candidate for mayor of Chicago tried out a new campaign tactic on Sunday that will likely be very popular among potential voters, handing out cash at a church event.
“An aide to Wilson said the businessman gave away $300,000 to 2,000 people through the Dr. Willie Wilson Foundation, a 501(c)(3),” according to local WGN-TV. ‘Such organizations are tax-exempt, must not be organized for the benefit of private interests and are restricted in how much political activities they can conduct. Wilson says he organized the giveaway to assist homeowners who are struggling to pay their property tax bills.”
Willie Wilson is a Chicago businessman and former mayoral and presidential candidate. Wilson insisted the event was “not campaign related.”
“My wife and I have been blessed by God to be able to get a few of the material things out of life and so it’s up to us to now continually to share back with all of you all and others,” Wilson said.
State Rep. David McSweeney blasted Wilson on Twitter.
“Check this out if you wonder why Illinois politicians are often a national joke,” he said. “How can Willie Wilson, a candidate for Mayor of Chicago, literally hand out CASH at a public event? This is so wrong!”
Check this out if you wonder why Illinois politicians are often a national joke. How can Willie Wilson, a candidate for Mayor of Chicago, literally hand out CASH at a public event? This is so wrong!
— David McSweeney (@1980reagan) July 22, 2018
But F. Scott Winslow, Wilson’s campaign spokesman, had a different take entirely, saying that the event was “absolutely not” a campaign event.
“While he happens to be a candidate, he’s been a philanthropist for 30 years,” Winslow said.
Oddly enough, there are no other records of Wilson handing out cash at a church function. Surely it is coincidental.
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, a Republican who is currently seeking re-election, was also at the church function, and took some time to bash Chicago’s exhorbitant property tax.
“You pay the highest property taxes in America here in Chicago and the South Side and the south suburbs,” he said. “This is wrong. The system is broken and I’m trying to fix it.”
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