City Clerk Miguel del Valle today pledged to reject contributions during his mayoral campaign from anyone doing business with the city.
“We know that there is a connection between campaign contributions and at times favorable consideration, favorable treatment,” said Del Valle, the second highest-ranking city official. “And that’s what we need to get away from. Will we eliminate all of the possible ways that influence can be exerted? Absolutely not. But this is a step that needs to be taken in this climate where we’re known as a pay-to-play state.”
Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Del Valle in December 2006 and then he was elected in February 2007, becoming the city’s first Hispanic city clerk. Del Valle was a state senator for 20 years on the near North Side of the city.
Del Valle’s campaign has raised about $35,000 in his campaign and collected 7,000 signatures. He challenged other contenders in the mayoral race to also refuse to accept money from companies contracting with the city.
“It’s the only way that we’re going to gain the confidence of voters,” Del Valle said during the press conference at his campaign headquarters. “This election cannot be decided by people who are trying to make money off of city government. This election cannot be decided by individuals who want to gain influence on policy decision through campaign contributions.
Del Valle also asked the public to look at the campaign contributions of other candidates to see who is contributing to their campaigns.
“This election has to be decided by the voters of the city of Chicago who for the first time in almost 67 years will have an opportunity to elect a mayor to an open seat in the city of Chicago,” he said. “This is historic. We should treat it as an opportunity to change how we conduct business in the city of Chicago and to gain the confidence of the voters.”