EVANSTON (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Today is the first day of early voting in Evanston, where some big campaign contributions in an aldermanic race are getting attention.
The Community Alliance for Better Government is raising questions about $12,000 in donations to Second Ward Ald. Krissie Harris from people with ties to an issue before the City Council.
The local group says the incumbent received donations from an out-of-state relative and a local employee of Patrick Ryan, the billionaire who has donated millions to Northwestern University to rebuild the stadium that bears his name.
President Lesley Williams says the Alliance is suspicious of donations from people affiliated with the Ryan family while the council is considering zoning changes that would let the university host concerts at the rebuilt site.
The group opposes the proposal to rebuild Ryan Field and is backing one of Harris' challengers.
"What exactly is their goal, and why would it be so important that they would make these two pretty large contributions to a local city council race?" Williams says.
Ald. Harris tells WBBM she didn't solicit the donations, and, when she learned about them, she decided to return them.
"I did talk to my treasurer, and nobody understood who these people were, so we are returning those funds," Harris says.
The Illinois State Board of Elections website shows Jennifer Glass donated $6,000 to Harris' campaign on March 12, and Alice Topping gave another $6,000 the following day.
Harris says she's all about transparency and has not made up her mind on the proposal.
Speaking to WBBM after campaigning in the ward, she says she's heard from residents with varying opinions about the plan.
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