Elmhurst Mayor Hopeful Slams Donation To Rival

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst mayoral candidate Mark Mulliner last week accepted a donation from a group that opposes Roberto's Ristorante and Pizzeria's controversial request for parking lots. One of his opponents, Scott Levin, said the contribution has the "appearance of impropriety."

On Wednesday, Elmhurst Neighbors United announced its endorsement of Mulliner in the April 6 election, when he faces Levin and Michael Bram. All three are aldermen.

State Board of Elections records show that Mulliner posted a $5,000 donation from Neighbors United on March 4. The group, which formed a few months ago, did not reveal the contribution in its endorsement announcement. It is the single largest donation in the mayoral race so far, according to election board records.

In an email through a public relations professional, Mulliner said the endorsement and donation from Neighbors United were a "pleasant surprise."

"My goal was to help them open up a line of communication with Roberto’s Restaurant and reach a conclusion that is mutually beneficial," the statement read.

Asked whether Mulliner would vote against Roberto's proposal, John Pastuovic, the public relations professional, did not say. He said Mulliner has helped Neighbors United articulate a position and advised it on how to have a voice in the hearing process.

"He clearly understands the value of the neighborhood's position," Pastuovic said. "That being said, it is his goal and focus to get the two sides to come together and to work for a conclusion that is mutually beneficial. He doesn't come to an either-or scenario."

In an email to Patch on Thursday, Bram said he would not support Roberto's proposal as it stands now. Levin, whose ward includes the neighborhood in question, said he has worked with both sides for a resolution, but he said it would be inappropriate for him to take a position while the parties are being heard.

In a statement Thursday night, Levin, a lawyer, took no issue with the legality of the group's donation as long as it was not seeking tax-exempt status. With such a status, a group cannot make political donations.

Under the state's General Not For Profit Corporation Act, Levin said, all nonprofits must have a set of bylaws. He said the donation of $5,000 would likely require a resolution of its board of directors. He said one questions would be about who authorized the contribution.

Levin also noted Mulliner is vice chairman of the City Council's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee. Under city rules, that committee will take up Roberto's proposal after the Zoning and Planning Commission had held hearings and made a recommendation.

"The more significant issue is that a $5,000 donation was made to a sitting alderman from a party that has a direct interest in the matter that is pending before the Zoning & Planning Commission," Levin said. "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. It is particularly true when the donation will likely be the single largest donation received by any candidate in the mayoral race. 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?"

Levin said it was irresponsible to decide an issue before all of the facts have been determined and an analysis has been done, saying it would be unfair to the applicant.

"(I)t has been my practice, and that of many, if not most, of the aldermen to abide by the decision of the Commission, unless we can identify some specific defect in the Commission’s process. That was my practice when I chaired DPZ and its current chair, Ald. Honquest, has in the past stated that it is also his belief," Levin said.

Levin said Mulliner should speak directly about the issue and not through a public relations person. He said he believed other aldermen and residents shared his concern about the "potential impropriety" of the donation.

Late Friday afternoon, Otis Dungan, president of Elmhurst Neighbors United, said in an email that Mulliner's election materials fell squarely within the interests of his group.

"Levin turned his back on ENU and those it represents," Dungan said. "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 praised Bram's "unwavering" position on the issue and Mulliner's guidance and input.

He said the contribution was made legally, but Mulliner has returned it. It is unclear why he did so. Patch is seeking comment from Mulliner's campaign.

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.