Evanston 1st Ward Alderman Calls For Opponent To Return Campaign Contribution

For Immediate Release

Evanston 1st Ward Alderman Calls For Opponent To Return Campaign Contribution

March 29, 2013, EVANSTON, Ill. -- Evanston 1st Ward Alderman Judy Fiske today called on her opponent, Edward Tivador, to return a $1,000 contribution that Tivador's campaign accepted from a person with an application for zoning relief that is pending before the Evanston City Council.

Fiske’s call follows the online disclosure by the Illinois State Board of Elections (www.elections.il.gov) that on Feb. 17, 2013, Tivador, Superintendent of Schools in Northbrook/Glenview School District 30, accepted the $1,000 contribution from Dawn Overend, a partner in a business currently seeking zoning relief from the City of Evanston.

Overend is a partner in Patriot Park LLC, which on Feb. 5, 2013, filed an application with the City requesting zoning relief to establish a commercial Bed & Breakfast establishment at 1622 Forest Place in Evanston.

Alderman Fiske said, “I don’t know what my opponent was thinking. It is clearly improper to seek or receive gifts from someone whose pending project will require City Council approval.”

She continued: "If my opponent knew about the pending zoning action, his accepting this donation raises serious questions about his independence and judgment. If he did not know about the zoning application, it raises further questions about his diligence and attention to detail." She added, "Either way, he should have declined or returned this donation immediately upon receiving it.”

"This is particularly unfortunate," Alderman Fiske said, “because it runs contrary to the excellent steps the current City Council has taken over the past four years to establish transparency and trust in city government.” 

Alderman Fiske also announced today that, in order to foster transparency about the source of campaign contributions in this election, she will voluntarily publish on her campaign website (www.judyfiske.com) the names of all donors who have given or pledged $150 or more to her campaign for re-election as 1st Ward alderman. She called on Tivador to follow her example.

Alderman Fiske was elected 1st Ward Alderman in April 2009. She is co-owner of Fit + Frisky!, a retail pet supply store in downtown Evanston.

Alderman Fiske has been an active participant in civic affairs here for more than two decades. She has served the community in many capacities, including president of the Preservation League of Evanston, trustee of the Evanston History Center, founding board member of the Northeast Evanston Historic District Association, treasurer of the Frances Willard Historical Association, founding member of Friends of The Georgian, member of the Kendall College Task Force, and appointee to the Police Services Advisory Board.

Alderman Fiske has written on and spoken frequently to community groups, statewide organizations, and the Evanston City Council about land use and zoning issues that affect the city's residential neighborhoods. From 1985 to 2005, she was a licensed Realtor in Chicago and the North Shore. Five generations of Alderman Fiske's family have lived in Evanston and Wilmette.

For more information, visit www.judyfiske.com.