On Saturday, February 20th, members of UN35 met with two additional candidates and voted to endorse both of them in the March primary election, Omar Aquino (Candidate for State Senator District 2) and Evie de la Rosa (Candidate for 6th Subcircuit judge).
Additionally, the members voted to endorse a policy initiative called the Fair Elections Ordinance. The Fair Elections Ordinance is being led by Fair Elections Illinois, a collaboration of Common Cause and Reclaim Chicago. The Ordinance creates an option for municipal candidates to participate in a Small Donor Match Program. Candidates who agree to not accept donations over $500 and who are able to raise at least $17,500, 60% of which must come from the area the candidate wishes to represent, will receive a 6:1 match for all donations $175 or less. The program would be funded by a new public fund that would take up less than one tenth of the total budget.
This policy would amplify the voices of everyday people by increasing the impact of their small donations and limiting the ability of the wealthy to buy elections. Enacting this policy would make it easier for economically disadvantaged communities to find viable candidates within their own communities, which would benefit many under-represented groups.