Longtime mayor David Webb Jr. has never needed more than 1,700 votes to win election in Markham, a south suburb of fewer than 13,000 people.
However, Webb, who became mayor in 2001, has been one of the most active local political fundraisers in the state, receiving over $1 million in contributions since 2000, according to campaign finance records.
A significant portion of Webb’s fundraising comes from city vendors, as shown by a Daily Southtown review of campaign finance disclosures and Markham treasurer reports. The records indicate that the city has paid out at least $72 million to supporters of Webb’s campaign since 2001.
The relationship between city vendors and campaign donors includes various types of businesses. Essential service providers like a garbage contractor and an ambulance service have contributed to Webb’s campaign committee along with numerous local businesses such as auto repair shops and a party rental company.
Webb’s campaign committee has faced multiple fines from the Illinois State Board of Elections for not filing contribution and expense reports on time. In 2015, his committee was fined for accepting more than the legal limit from a donor.
The city and Webb’s campaign fund have also been linked to Adrianna’s, a nightclub and banquet hall that has raised some controversy.
Webb has spent at least $127,000 in campaign funds at Adrianna’s banquet hall, which shares its name and building with the nightclub where police records report at least seven shootings have occurred.
The city has also granted the property developer over $904,868 in tax breaks while spending nearly $40,000 at Adrianna’s banquet hall according to Markham records.
All city vendors and contributors contacted by Daily Southtown claimed their donations didn’t influence any business they received from the city. Nevertheless, government experts pointed out that donations made by city vendors can create concerns about transparency and good governance.
“How can the citizens there trust him to keep their best economic interests in mind when the vendors are bankrolling his campaign?” asked Ben Silver, a community lawyer with the Citizen Advocacy Center in Elmhurst.
Sarah Brune, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform stated that connections between officials and donating vendors can “breed a lot of mistrust in the public.”
She also described Webb’s war chest as “exorbitant” compared to how few votes he needs for victory.
“It’s hard to understand why that would be necessary, and I think an answer to that question would be appropriate,” Brune said.
Attempts to reach Webb and city attorney Steven Miller for comment went unanswered throughout this story.
Vendors
A large portion of Webb’s biggest donors have been construction firms according to records.
Markham has paid over $3.7 million to Alsterda Cartage and Construction since 2008. The company has contributed $36,650 to Webb since 2004.
The city disbursed around $2.2 million to Joseph Letke’s firm between 2005 and 2014; Letke is a former comptroller for Harvey who was accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of defrauding investors. Authorities reported he was found dead last month from what appears to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Additonally, Markham has paid Homewood Disposal nearly $9 million since 2002 during which time it donated $9,310 toward Webb’s campaigns according to available records.
No officials from these companies could be reached for comments regarding this matter.
The city spent almost $2.3 million on K-Five Construction Corporation between 2002-2015; K-Five donated at least $6,500 since 2001 based on available documentation.
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