By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News
(CHICAGO) Chicago Mayoral Candidate and businessman Willie Wilson appeared on WLS-AM Wednesday morning to defend his practice of handing out cash to random people who need it, even though his critics say it raises ethical questions.
Wilson told “The Big John and Ramblin’ Ray Show” on WLS that there was nothing wrong with him handing out $200,000 this past Sunday at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church on the south side.
“I don’t buy votes or nothing like that” said Wilson, “I won’t never do nothing like that. But there are people who’s hungry, who need meals, who don’t have a home, people who lose their home from property taxes.”
Wilson said Mayor Rahm Emanuel raises ethical questions by accepting millions in campaign contributions.
“People can believe what they want to believe. What about the situation that Ron(sic) Emanuel have all these people giving him millions of dollars, to buy the City of Chicago? What kind of appearance that look like?”
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner appeared with Wilson at the church this past Sunday, but says he didn’t know Wilson was going to distribute the cash. On Monday Rauner said Wilson’s action was “outrageous.”
Rauner said he’s given $200,000 over the past year to Wilson’s foundation for the same purpose, but he didn’t know if it was among the funds distributed Sunday.
While critics accused him of trying to buy votes, Wilson told WLS the kind of people he is trying to help, often are not even on the voter rolls.
“Most of these people on the street don’t even vote. They begging for money and don’t have a job or nothing. These people don’t vote.”
The Illinois State Board of Elections said Wilson didn’t break any campaign finance laws because the money came from his non-profit foundation.
@ 2018 WLS-AM News
