Weisner takes in $74K

For Immediate Release For more information contact:
Thursday, January 16, 2009 Jordan Lystad, 630-264-8150

Mayor Tom Weisner Lives by His 2008 Campaign Finance Reform Proposal
Weisner Campaign Raises $74,000 in Second Half of 2008

Aurora, IL - Even though the Aurora City Council failed to pass his reform ordinance last spring, Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner limited city contractors to contributions of no more than $1,500 per reporting period.

"While I respect the City Council's decision to avoid politicizing this issue, I felt it was important to personally take action given the recent problems at the state level," said Weisner.

Last May, Weisner proposed sweeping campaign finance reform legislation to provide another layer of protection against the pay-to-play politics that has become rampant in Illinois politics at the state level. Despite the numerous safeguards already in place at the City of Aurora, Weisner's proposal was designed to give the public added confidence in the professionalism and integrity of the city's procurement process. The Aurora City Council voted to send the ordinance back to the Government Operations Committee until after the 2009 election after Mayoral opponents Alderman Richard Irvin and Alderman Stephanie Kifowit began politicizing the issue.

Weisner's 2008 proposal would have capped the amount that companies that do business with the city in excess of $10,000 (or seek to do business with the city) may donate to municipal campaigns to $1,500 per reporting period - an amount that allowed business to exercise their constitutional right to participate in the political process while avoiding even the appearance of any impropriety. The ordinance also proposed candidates pledge not to spend more than $20,000 of personal funds on their own campaign to make certain political office is accessible to everyone regardless of income.

Mayor Weisner's D2 statement indicated that the campaign raised nearly $74,000 in cash and in-kind contributions from July 1 - December 31, 2008. Of contributors who gave more than $150, only five had contracts with the city of Aurora and none of those gave more than $1,500. Many of the private donations were raised from a December fundraiser, which was attended by State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

In support of campaign contribution limits, Weisner explained:

"Both citizens and business owners pay taxes and have a legitimate interest in Aurora's growth and success. Because of the problems at the state level, honorable people who choose to exercise their constitutional right and participate in the political process locally may become targets of unfair accusations. Our political processes should encourage inclusivity and participation, not divisiveness and apathy. By setting reasonable contribution limits and committing to full reporting and transparency required under the law, I believe we can protect taxpayers, businesses and candidates..

"Both my opponents are eager to compare Aurora to the State of Illinois for their own political gain when in fact our two governments are nothing alike. There are many checks and balances in city contracting. In fact, no official, elected or otherwise, can authorize a contract in excess of $10,000 without the entire city council first reviewing and authorizing the purchase. There is virtually no room for mischief in city contracting. That being said, I still believe that given the problems at the state level, it was important to give the public an added level of confidence."

Shortly after his election in 2005, Mayor Weisner took bold steps to increase government accountability and transparency in the city of Aurora by proposing strong new ethics laws, which were approved by the Aurora City Council. The legislation protects whistleblowers who report unethical behavior on the part of elected officials, city employees or city contractors.

# # #