CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A candidate for mayor of south suburban Dolton may have been breaking the law with a campaign stunt that involved free gasoline.
Dolton Village Trustee Tiffany Henyard announced the gas giveaway on her Tiffany for Mayor Facebook page.
"We are the biggest, biggest gas giveaway ever in the south suburbs. It's Tiffany here. I am out here showing up for my people as I always do. You know that you all need me. I need you all too. I just want you guys to know that I haven't forgot about you and whenever you tell me you need something I will show up and I will do it, by giving gas," she said.
"I had to show my appreciation by giving y'all gas. I'm giving y'all $25 fill ups today. I am giving away tons, and tons, and tons of free gasoline today."
The gas giveaway took place at a Food 4 Less in Dolton. You needed a Dolton ID to get the gas, and people showed up in droves.
But the question comes up: is this legal?
Reform Illinois Board Member David Melton spoke to CBS 2.
“It is probably illegal,” Melton said. “Technically, to prove that it’s illegal, you would have to prove that her intent was to exchange those gas credits for votes...I would say it’s inappropriate conduct, regardless of whether it’s still technically illegal."
So what was Henyard’s intent, less than three months before Dolton’s election?
A spokesperson for Henyard told CBS 2 she used her own money – but when first asked if Henyard’s intent was to exchange gas for votes or if she was aware she may be breaking the law, her spokesperson first said she would get back to CBS 2.
Late Monday night, Henyard's campaign denied the gas giveaway was an attempt to buy votes.
If there are questions about the legality of that giveaway, it would still be up to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office or the Board of Elections to take any action.