Chicago City Council member fined record $145,500 for improper campaign contributions

Austin street banners in her ward
in 2016

Ald. Carrie Austin is a walking example of unethical behavior.

From WTTW:

The Chicago Board of Ethics fined Ald. Carrie Austin $145,500 for accepting $48,500 in excessive contributions from a person doing business with the city, in violation of city law.

The fine, approved by a unanimous vote Monday, marks the first time the board has levied the maximum fine allowed for violations of the city’s campaign finance law — three times the amount of the improper campaign contributions.

Austin, the second-longest serving alderman on the City Council, did not respond to a request for comment from WTTW News on Tuesday morning.

Companies and people doing business with the city are limited to contributing $1,600 to any one candidate per year, according to the city’s campaign finance ordinance.

Two years ago the FBI raided her ward office. Until last year Austin was the Democratic committeewoman of the 34th Ward.

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Another office of a Chicago alderman raided by feds