What Chicago’s Ethics Rules Really Mean When Big Money Talks

Chicago’s mayor has a rule: no campaign money from companies that do city work. But over the years, money still slips through. This time, an IT firm called EKI-Digital—already under fire for possible overbilling—sent a $250 donation to the mayor’s campaign. The timing is awkward. Just last year, the city’s own watchdog accused EKI of billing nearly $10 million for projects that may never have been fully completed. The inspector general also pointed out that while EKI got a flood of new city contracts under the previous administration, the company hired the ex-mayor’s adult son as a paid intern. That looks like a conflict of interest. The donation happened in spring 2025, months after the inspector general’s report came out. EKI’s owner quickly said it was a mistake and asked for the money back. The campaign agreed and will refund it. But why was the donation made at all? City ethics rules ban contractors—and their owners—from giving any money to the mayor’s campaign. Yet this isn’t the first time money has been returned. Over the past few years, the mayor’s fund has sent back donations from janitorial, engineering, and even medical equipment companies tied to city contracts. Some contributions were small, like the $250 from EKI. Others were much larger.Here’s where it gets complicated. EKI has worked for Chicago for decades, starting back when a different mayor was in office. In 2023, the Johnson administration approved a new $105 million contract with EKI—even though the company was already under investigation. The ethics order says cities can cancel contracts if rules are broken. So why keep working with a company accused of wrongdoing? Part of the reason might involve staff ties. Two top aides in the current administration once worked for or with EKI. One even led a review that allowed the city to pay EKI $600, 000 of the nearly $10 million it billed. That raises questions about who is really watching the watchers. At the same time, the inspector general wants EKI—now called Quant16—banned from city business forever. The company says it did all the work and has proof. The mayor’s campaign won’t say if it thinks contractors should never donate. But it does take money from labor unions that represent city workers, like nurses. That’s legal, but is it smart?