Chicago Mayoral Candidate Hands Out $500,000 Cash to Potential Voters

Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson says he wasn't trying to buy anyone's vote when he handed out close to $200,000 to churchgoers.

The millionaire businessman said Sunday's appearance at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church was nothing more than "one of the biggest property tax relief assistance" events of the year and the kind of thing he's done before.

Willie Wilson says there is no way to know if @GovRauner money was handed out yesterday. Once a donation is made to the foundation it all gets mixed in. They gave out preprinted checks with specific names on them, and Wilson also gave cash out of his own pocket.

— Meghan Dwyer (@MeghanAnnDwyer) July 23, 2018

The Illinois State Board of Elections said Wilson didn't break any campaign finance laws because the money came from his non-profit foundation.

1 of 2 Re:#williewilson. Chi Bd. of Elections says they’re not even in the election cycle yet. Can’t even file petitions until Aug. 28. While people have announced candidacy, technically there are no candidates for mayor. There are no ballots. @WGNNews @tahmanbradley

— Meghan Dwyer (@MeghanAnnDwyer) July 23, 2018

2 if 2 re: #williewilson. I asked bd if this had happened after Aug. 28 if it would be an issue, and they refused to comment. “we are monitoring the situation but we have not received complaints that concern a violation of the law.” @tahmanbradley @WGNNews

— Meghan Dwyer (@MeghanAnnDwyer) July 23, 2018

[...]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). 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.

[...]Reached by phone, F. Scott Winslow, Wilson for Mayor campaign spokesman, told WGN News Sunday's event was "absolutely not" a campaign event. Winslow says since Wilson launched his second bid for Chicago mayor, he's probably given away $500,000.