Ald. Gardiner to not accept campaign contributions from developers seeking zoning changes in 45th Ward

by BRIAN NADIG

Alderman Jim Gardiner (45th) has announced at a Sept. 17 community meeting at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., that he would not accept campaign contributions from developers who are seeking a zoning change in the ward.

Gardiner’s decision is believed to be somewhat unusual in Chicago because aldermen routinely accept contributions from developers. A veteran alderman recently told Nadig Newspapers that he was unaware of any other alderman who refused campaign contributions from developers but would not be surprised if some of the newer aldermen in the city were to implement such a policy.

Former 45th Ward alderman John Arena accepted about $40,000 from entities related to half-dozen large development projects in Jefferson Park and Six Corners. Documents released by the city through a Freedom of Information Act request showed that in a zoning-related e-mail to a developer, the former alderman included a link for the developer to make an online donation to his campaign.

Gardiner made his announcement at a meeting on the Six Corners senior housing project.