Candidates who run for mayor of Evanston can tap into public campaign funds from the city, but neither incumbent Daniel Biss nor challenger Jeff Boarini, both running for mayor in the April 1 Cook County consolidated election, are doing so, according to the city’s clerk.
The matching funds program began in 2023, when the Evanston City Council approved an ordinance allowing mayoral candidates to receive matching campaign donations from the city. Called the “Small Donor Democracy Matching Fund,” it can help candidates who don’t have large donors but do have a swell of donors giving amounts under $150.
The program is meant to “empower grassroots supporters by amplifying small donations and reducing candidates’ reliance on large donors or special interest groups,” according to the city’s website.
City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza said in a phone call to Pioneer Press that candidates who have accepted donations over $150 cannot use the program. Mendoza said both Biss and Boarini were notified of the program and how it functions. Both have accepted larger donations.
The program is voluntary, meaning that if a candidate were to opt into it, they would need to reject donations greater than $150.
Boarini filed his campaign committee to the Illinois State Board of Elections on Oct. 2, 2024, records show. On Nov. 18, Boarini’s campaign committee reported to the state Board of Elections his first contribution over $1,000, a $2,000 donation from a Wilmette couple.
Biss, who has been an elected official since 2011, has been using his “Friends of Daniel Biss” committee since that year. His committee reported a $5,000 donation from the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council on Nov. 18, 2024.
The disparities in campaign donations are stark. Since Jan. 1, Boarini’s campaign reported receiving $29,000 in large contributions ($1,000 or more). Also since Jan. 1, Biss’ campaign reported receiving over $74,400 in large contributions, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections and Reform for Illinois’ campaign finance database. Biss’ campaign also reported having approximately $184,000 in funds available on the last day of 2024.
More accurate pictures of their fundraising will be known on March 31, because campaign laws require candidates to file contributions over $1,000 to the state within five business days, or two days in the 30-day period before an election, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections’ “A Guide to Campaign Disclosure.” Contributions under $1,000 can be reported in quarterly reports, with the next quarter ending on March 31, a day before the election.
Regarding the city’s donor matching fund, it starts the year with $68,750, or 1/60th of 1% of the city’s annual budget, whichever is greatest, according to the city’s ordinance. Mendoza said even though the program is not being used in this election cycle, the funds are rolled over and can be used in future elections.
Mendoza said that the $150 donation is low for a mayoral race, and that it will be on the next City Council to look back on the current ordinance and see if there are any lessons to be learned.
Mendoza also said the next City Council could also decide to expand the program to better service ward races and first time candidates. Evanston’s least expensive contested race with an opponent on the ballot is for the 8th Ward. Challenger and Former Land Use Commission Chair Matt Rodgers reported $2,000 in contributions since Jan. 1. Eighth Ward City Councilmember Devon Reid has not filed donations greater than $1,000 in 2025 as of deadline. The report coming out March 31 should list their smaller donations.
“It’s a big ask,” for first-time candidates to solicit donations for their campaigns, Mendoza said.
The city council passed the ordinance on a 6-2 vote in Sept. 2023, per city documents. Reid and City Councilmember Tom Suffredin (4th) voted against it, with City Councilmember Bobby Burns (5th) absent from the vote.
