Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot got about $300,000 of the more than $1 million she raised in contributions last quarter from real estate industry players, a group that includes Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts, developer Fred Latsko, and Phillip Ciaccio, who’s behind the private equity real estate firm Domus Group.
Ricketts, long one of Lightfoot’s top backers, was again among her largest donors in the third quarter, kicking in $51,000. The Ricketts family’s real estate arm, Marquee Development, focuses on mixed-use entertainment and professional sports districts, and has shaped the area around Wrigley Field.
The Carpentry Advancement PAC, a political group representing the carpenter’s union, gave nearly three times as much last quarter, with a $150,000 donation. Lightfoot also got the support of the Finishing Trades of Chicago Coop PAC, another trade union group that advocates for contractors, which gave $25,000.
Lightfoot also received $25,000 from the brokerage Marcus & Millichap’s founder George Marcus, as well as support from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices broker John Vanderlin and Marmon Group manager Matthew Snyder, The Real Deal previously reported.
Ciaccio and Latsko, both players in development hotspot Fulton Market, gave $2,500 apiece. Domus Group’s investment and development portfolio includes the 100,000-square-foot commercial building at 1133 West Fulton Market, while Latsko is planning a residential tower at 375 North Morgan Street.
Parkside Realty CEO Robert Winslow contributed $5,000, and real estate developer Jordan Karlik, who co-founded JK Equities, donated $1,500.
Lightfoot also had significant support from a number of restaurateurs. Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises founder and chairman Richard Melman gave $50,000 last quarter. The restaurant company that owns, manages and licenses more than 60 brands and 130 restaurants across the nation, including dozens of Chicago locations.
Several LLCs affiliated with Carmen Rossi, the founder of 8 Hospitality Group, gave Lightfoot at least $3,500 in the third quarter.
Rodrigo Descoto, president of building enclosure company RMW, gave $15,000. Rama Dandamuni, president of luxury interior design and supply company Dandamundi’s Inc., contributed $5,000, as did Action Caulking & Sealants president Timothy Puccinelli. Sealant Engineering Construction Supply salesman Christopher Heider gave $1,000.
Lightfoot faces a crowded mayoral field in her bid for reelection that includes former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, self-funded businessman and philanthropist Willie Wilson, Alderman Sophia King, and others. Wilson also reported raising just over $1 million last quarter, though most of that came from a $1 million loan from himself. King raised almost $211,000, while Vallas raised about $153,000.
Election day is Feb. 28.
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Politics
Chicago
Lightfoot campaign bags Marcus & Millichap cash
Politics
Chicago
Lightfoot campaign hauls in $1.2M, $280k from real estate