Elmhurst Controversy Prompts Return Of $5K Donation

ELMHURST, IL — Amid a controversy, Elmhurst mayoral candidate Mark Mulliner late last week returned a $5,000 contribution given by a group of residents opposed to a restaurant's parking lot plan.

Elmhurst Neighbors United, which opposes the plan by Roberto's Ristorante and Pizzeria, gave the money March 4 and publicly endorsed Mulliner nearly a week later on Facebook.

When Elmhurst Patch contacted Mulliner's campaign Thursday, a spokesman called the endorsement and donation "a pleasant surprise." At some point in the next day, the campaign returned it.

In an email Sunday, Mulliner, an alderman, said Neighbors United gave its endorsement and money for one reason — he was willing to work with its members to address their concerns.

"Never ever was there any implication of a quid pro quo," Mulliner said. "Let me be clear, I never took a position on their issue and still haven’t. It remains my goal that the neighbors and Roberto’s Pizza ownership can come together and resolve their differences."

Explaining the return of the money, Mulliner said, "Unfortunately, because of the donation, Elmhurst Neighbors United found themselves in the middle of a controversy and I didn’t feel that was fair to them. For that reason, I decided to remove the community group from the line of fire by returning the donation."

The $5,000 donation was the single biggest one in the mayoral race so far, according to Illinois Board of Elections records.

The contribution came under fire from mayoral candidate Scott Levin. He noted Mulliner sits on the City Council committee that would review Roberto's proposal.

"There is at least an appearance of impropriety when a candidate receives a donation from a group that the alderman knows will very soon have an issue pending before both his committee, and then the city council," said Levin, an alderman. "Would it not appear that Ald. Mulliner favored the neighbors after receiving such a donation if he in any way denies Roberto's zoning request?"

A lawyer, Levin took no issue with the legality of the donation as long as Neighbors United is not a tax-exempt nonprofit.

Neighbors United contended last week that Levin, who represents the area in question, failed to represent the residents on the Roberto's issue.

In a statement Friday, Otis Dungan, the group's president, said Levin "turned his back" on Neighbors United and those it represents. And he said Levin's "attack" on the group's contribution confirmed that it endorsed the right candidate.

"Branding concerned residents of the city as suspect or shady is not a trait of someone who should be mayor and reeks of a career politician," Dungan said.

In an email Friday, Levin denied he went on the attack over the donation, saying he responded when a Patch reporter contacted him. He noted the Mulliner campaign called the money "a pleasant surprise" and decided to return it "only after the donation became public."

News of the returned donation came from Neighbors United, not Mulliner. And Mulliner himself was silent on the controversy until Sunday, relying on a public relations professional in the meantime.

"Mulliner should have known when he received the contribution that it would put him in a conflict of interest or, at a minimum, there would be an appearance of impropriety. It should not have taken six days and public outcry to figure that out. A mayor should know that. And, where is Mulliner's statement on it after two days?" Levin said.

The third mayoral candidate on the ballot is Alderman Michael Bram. While Mulliner has not taken a public position on Roberto's proposal, Bram has said he would vote against it as it stands now.

Roberto's, 483 Spring Road, is proposing two parking lots for its business and the next-door office building that it owns.

Neighbors say the parking lot would increase traffic and flooding and hurt their property values. They also contend the restaurant has bought houses on the site of the proposed parking lots, but has done a poor job maintaining them.

Restaurant representatives said they are proud of their relationship with the Spring Road business district. They said the parking lots would increase the safety of their customers and the neighborhood.

The city's Zoning and Planning Commission is expected to resume its hearing on the proposal at its meeting Tuesday.