# Bennett R. Lawson's campaign money: donors, lobbyists, and money near votes

Alderperson, 44th Ward ([profile](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44)). Campaign committees: [Friends of Bennett Lawson](https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?ID=38699).

- Cash on hand: **[$190,008](https://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?ID=38699)** (as of Sep 30, 2026)
- Raised this term: **$554,650**; since 2019: $848,167 (964 itemized donations)
- From Chicago: 79% of itemized money
- From registered City lobbyists: **$57,950** in 84 contributions
- From interests tied to legislation, in the 365 days before 11 votes: **$7,650** ([below](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/money/bennett-r-lawson#money-near-votes))

**Chart:** [Top donors to Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/money/bennett-r-lawson/chart.svg) · download the [data (CSV)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/money/bennett-r-lawson/data.csv) · [embed](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/money/bennett-r-lawson/embed)

> Money near a vote is not evidence that it influenced the vote.

## Top donors

| Donor | Total | Gifts | Employer or occupation | From |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marc Lifshin | $19,200 | 3 | Core Spaces | Chicago, IL |
| Surf Development | $17,500 | 13 |  | Chicago, IL |
| Michael Sacks | $14,200 | 3 | Grosvenor Capitol Management | Chicago, IL |
| Cari Sacks | $14,200 | 3 | Not Employed | Chicago, IL |
| Francis Campise | $14,000 | 5 | JAB Real Estate | Chicago, IL |
| David Gassman | $13,500 | 6 | DLG Management | Chicago, IL |
| Citizens for Gregory Harris | $12,500 | 4 |  | Chicago, IL |
| Realtor PAC | $12,000 | 2 |  | Springfield, IL |
| Sheffield's Beer & Wine Garden | $10,600 | 6 |  | Chicago, IL |
| Vince Rizzo | $10,500 | 5 | VANV A | Park Ridge, IL |
| Rizzo's Bar & Inn | $10,000 | 7 |  | Chicago, IL |
| DoorDash, Inc. (lobbying client) | $10,000 | 1 |  | San Francisco, CA |
| Greg Berkowitz | $10,000 | 2 | GB Property Management | Chicago, IL |
| Trader Todd's | $9,500 | 6 |  | Chicago, IL |
| Patrick Miller | $7,700 | 11 | Self | Western Springs, IL |
| Michael Alvarez (lobbyist) | $7,500 | 5 | Alvarez and Associates | Chicago, IL |
| Illinois Hospital Association PAC | $7,500 | 6 |  | Springfield, IL |
| Schain Banks Kenny & Schwartz | $7,000 | 7 |  | Chicago, IL |
| Kevin Vaughan | $7,000 | 5 | Vaughan Hospitality Group | Chicago, IL |
| Wrigsville Dog Inc | $7,000 | 2 |  | Chicago, IL |
| Billy Lawless | $7,000 | 3 | Self | Chicago, IL |
| Lettuce Entertain You | $7,000 | 5 |  | Chicago, IL |
| James Jann | $6,500 | 4 | JAB Real Estate, Inc. | Chicago, IL |
| Samuel Gentile | $6,250 | 4 | Saint Joseph Hospital | Chicago, IL |
| Arthur Hood | $6,250 | 3 | Self | Dallas, TX |

## Top donors' employers

| Employer | Total | Gifts |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Core Spaces | $19,200 | 3 |
| Jab Real Estate | $14,000 | 5 |
| Grosvenor Capitol Management | $13,800 | 2 |
| Dlg Management | $13,500 | 6 |
| Vanv A | $10,500 | 5 |
| Gb Property Management | $10,000 | 2 |
| Alvarez And Associates | $7,500 | 5 |
| Vaughan Hospitality Group | $7,000 | 5 |
| Jab Real Estate, Inc. | $6,500 | 4 |
| Thomas R. Raines Attorney At Law Llc | $6,000 | 4 |
| Sheffields Beer And Wine Garden | $6,000 | 3 |
| 1000 Liquors | $5,500 | 4 |
| Saint Joseph Hospital | $5,000 | 1 |
| Camp Out For Kids | $5,000 | 1 |
| Beal Properties | $5,000 | 1 |

## Lobbyists who gave

| Lobbyist | Total | Gifts |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Jennifer Koehler | $6,000 | 5 |
| [Michael Alvarez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/lobbyist/4126-michael-alvarez) | $6,000 | 4 |
| Jerry Mickelson | $5,750 | 9 |
| [Tyler Manic](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/lobbyist/13202-tyler-manic) | $4,500 | 4 |
| [Thomas Raines](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/lobbyist/17201-thomas-raines) | $4,500 | 3 |
| [Patrick Carey](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/lobbyist/14921-patrick-carey) | $3,750 | 6 |
| [John Dunn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/lobbyist/4193-john-dunn) | $2,750 | 5 |
| [Mary Minaghan Dba Mkm Services](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/lobbyist/4162-mary-minaghan-dba-mkm-services) | $2,750 | 6 |
| Guy Chipparoni | $2,500 | 4 |
| [John Doerrer](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/lobbyist/3836-john-doerrer) | $2,500 | 4 |
| Michael Ruemmler | $2,100 | 4 |
| Jerome Schain | $1,500 | 2 |
| Gabriela Manzanares Jule | $1,500 | 2 |
| [Rolando Acosta](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/lobbyist/3845-rolando-acosta) | $1,500 | 2 |
| Scott Weiner | $1,500 | 1 |

## Money near votes

Money from the interests tied to a piece of legislation (its lobbying clients, their lobbyists, companies and employees named in it) received in the 365 days before the vote.

| Legislation | Vote date | Their vote | Amount | From |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Liquor Moratorium Lift on Packaged Goods on Kedzie](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2024-0012808-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) | Oct 22, 2024 | Y | $1,500 | Michael Alvarez (lobbyist for Circle K) |
| [Liquor License Moratorium](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2024-0008642-restricting-additional-late-hour-liquor-licenses) | May 22, 2024 | Y | $1,500 | Thomas Raines (lobbyist for Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.) |
| [Short Term Rentals Amendment](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2024-0013637-title-4-vacation-rental-data-reporting) | May 21, 2025 | Y | $1,000 | John Dunn (lobbyist for Airbnb, Inc.); Patrick Carey (lobbyist for Airbnb, Inc.) |
| [Historical landmark fee waiver for property at 105 W Adams Street/210 S Clark St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/Or2025-0021609-historical-landmark-fee-waiver-property-105) | Feb 18, 2026 | Y | $500 | Rolando Acosta (lobbyist for 105 Adams Development LLC) |
| [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (35.82) to allow additional package goods…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2025-0021699-allow-additional-package-goods-licenses-portion) | Jan 21, 2026 | Y | $500 | Rolando Acosta (lobbyist for 2616 N Milwaukee(Chicago), LLC) |
| [Execution of Affordable Housing Covenant and Lien for 1810 W Jackson Blvd](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2025-0018769-execution-affordable-housing-covenant-lien-1810) | Oct 16, 2025 | Y | $500 | Rolando Acosta (lobbyist for 1810 W Jackson Investors LLC) |
| [Redevelopment agreement with 105 Adams Development LLC to provide tax increment…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2025-0018754-redevelopment-agreement-105-adams-development-llc) | Sep 25, 2025 | Y | $500 | Rolando Acosta (lobbyist for 105 Adams Development, LLC) |
| [Used Lithium battery prohibitions on resale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2024-0007754-titles-2-4-adding-new-new) | Sep 18, 2024 | Y | $500 | John Daley (lobbyist for Doordash, Inc.) |
| [Amendment of Municipal Code 7-5-0207 regarding Outdoor Patio Dining](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2023-0005763-regarding-standards-rooftop-grade-outdoor-dining) | Dec 13, 2023 | Y | $500 | Illinois Restaurant Association (company) |
| [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 4 and 6 by modifying various sections and adding…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2023-0002980-titles-2-4-6-modifying-adding) | Nov 9, 2023 | N | $500 | Illinois Restaurant Association (company) |
| [Redevelopment agreement with and issuance of tax increment financing (TIF) funds to…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2024-0012447-redevelopment-agreement-issuance-tax-increment-financing) | Oct 9, 2024 | Y | $150 | Donna Pugh (lobbyist for Timeline Theatre Company) |

> Money near a vote is not evidence that it influenced the vote.

## Shares the most donors with

- [Timothy R. Knudsen](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/network/timothy-r-knudsen-vs-bennett-r-lawson): 82 donors in common (8% overlap)
- [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/network/scott-waguespack-vs-bennett-r-lawson): 43 donors in common (5% overlap)
- [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/network/brian-hopkins-vs-bennett-r-lawson): 56 donors in common (5% overlap)
- [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/network/brendan-reilly-vs-bennett-r-lawson): 57 donors in common (4% overlap)
- [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/network/samantha-nugent-vs-bennett-r-lawson): 39 donors in common (4% overlap)

## Legislation they sponsored that was lobbied

- [Agreement to enter into Security Enhancement Project with Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, LLC for all events at…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2025-0017546-agreement-enter-security-enhancement-project-chicago): 179 filings (Chicago Cubs Baseball Club, LLC)
- [Short Term Rentals Amendment](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2024-0013637-title-4-vacation-rental-data-reporting): 23 filings (Airbnb, Inc.)
- [Call on Chicago City Clerk to provide Illinois Gaming Board with certified copy of Council ordinance…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0022536-call-chicago-city-clerk-provide-illinois): 7 filings (Hospitality Business Association Of Chicago)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-44 by adding new Section 2-44-170 regarding requirements for Low…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2025-0017573-adding-new-regarding-requirements-low-income): 7 filings (Illinois Housing Council)
- [Chicago Shoreline Advisory Board](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2024-0008866-inserting-new-chicago-shoreline-advisory-board): 6 filings (Openlands)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Title 13 by adding new Chapter 13-150 establishing requirements for…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0024083-title-13-adding-new-requirements-bird): 6 filings (Illinois Environmental Council, Openlands)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code 7-5-0207 regarding Outdoor Patio Dining](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2023-0005763-regarding-standards-rooftop-grade-outdoor-dining): 5 filings (Chicago Federation Of Labor, Friedman Properties, Illinois Restaurant Association)
- [Designation of May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Chicago.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0025370-may-2026-jewish-american-heritage-month): 3 filings (Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago, Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Chapters 5-8 and 6-10 regarding protections of civil rights for individuals with…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2024-0012999-regarding-protections-civil-rights-individuals-actual): 3 filings (Equality Illinois)
- [Chicago Commission on Human Relations directed to establish working group to address issues impacting BIPOC…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2024-0014446-chicago-commission-human-relations-directed-establish): 2 filings (Equality Illinois)
- [Commemoration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and designation of September 15 through October 15 as…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2024-0013110-commemoration-national-hispanic-heritage-month-september): 2 filings (Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago)
- [SO2024-0008201](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2024-0008201-adding-new-requiring-city-data-processed): 2 filings (Amazon.Com Services LLC, Illinois Environmental Council)
- [Call for hearing(s) on utilization of MBE/WBEs by Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and associated spending for…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2024-0010150-call-hearing-utilization-mbe-wbes-commonwealth): 1 filings (Comed)
- [Call on Illinois General Assembly to pass transit management reform and revenue omnibus package](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2025-0016638-call-illinois-general-assembly-pass-transit): 1 filings (Illinois Environmental Council)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 14B, 14X and 15 (2026 Municipal Code…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2025-0021719-titles-1-3-4-7-8): 1 filings (Airbnb, Inc.)

Campaign data from the Illinois State Board of Elections (itemized: $150+). Lobbyist data from the City of Chicago Board of Ethics. Lobbyist and lobbyist-client donor flags are name matches. Street addresses are not published. Links between money and legislation are computed: lobbying filings are matched to legislation by record number, address, the client's name, or similar wording; donors are matched by exact company or employer name. Money near a vote is not evidence that it influenced the vote. See also [Bennett R. Lawson's connections](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/connections/bennett-r-lawson) and [money across the Council](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/money).

Sources and methods: [how we get and count this data](/about#methods) · [report an error](/about#corrections)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/money/bennett-r-lawson · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt