At its February 2022 meeting, the Board issued an important advisory opinion setting forth the factors it will examine in order to determine whether a political fundraising committee other than a candidate’s or elected official’s official candidate committee—for example a PAC (Political Action Committee) organized as such under the Illinois Election Code—will also constitute one of the candidate’s or official’s committees. If such a finding is made, both that PAC and its contributors become subject to the contribution limitations in the Governmental Ethics Ordinance, and both this committee and the candidate’s “official candidate committee” are treated as one and the same committee. You can read the opinion here: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/ethics/general/AO_CampFinanacing/21033.AO.pdf

Any questions or requests for confidential guidance should be directed to 312-744-9660 or steve.berlin@cityofchicago.org