Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly (second from right) has used his campaign account nearly 200 times to pay tabs at his favorite River North bar. | Wordpress.com
Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly (second from right) has used his campaign account nearly 200 times to pay tabs at his favorite River North bar. | Wordpress.com
At a River North tavern where he’s considered a “regular,” 42nd Ward Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly has paid the tab with his campaign account nearly 200 times.
That’s according to filings by Riley’s campaign committee, Citizens for Reilly, with the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE).
All told, Citizens for Reilly reports having picked up 198 tabs at Boss Bar, 420 N. Clark Street, totaling $29,824, for an average bill of $200.16.
That includes eight Boss Bar tabs in his last state filing, covering campaign spending July 1 through Sept. 30.
Reilly spent $101 at Boss Bar on Thurs. Aug. 2, and $150 on Fri. Aug. 3, $276 in two tabs on Thurs. Aug. 30, $195 on Thurs. Sept. 6 and $231 the next day, Fri. Aug. 7.
Chicago City Wire examined twelve years of Citizens for Reilly campaign finance reports covering $4.926 million in total spending over the alderman’s political career, which began in 2006 when he first ran for Chicago City Council , challenging and defeating nine-term incumbent Burton Natarus.
"Meeting"
Per Illinois state law, campaign finance reports require stating a “purpose” for every Citizens for Reilly expenditure.
Reilly describes 90 percent of his tabs at Boss Bar, a majority of which are listed as payments to the tavern’s holding company, Washington Square Liquors, Inc., as "meeting."
The revelation of Reilly’s atypical committee spending comes at a time of heightened scrutiny, as lIllinois Auditor General Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) faces federal investigation for his own, prolific use of campaign funds for personal expenses— including on gasoline, car repairs and at restaurants— during a long career as state representative.
Reilly’s filings show he didn’t just pay for “meetings” at Boss Bar, but also at watering holes and restaurants across the 42nd Ward, which includes The Loop, River North and the Magnificent Mile.
Records show Citizens for Reilly spent another $8,167 on meetings, incuding $2,323 for 15 meals at Chicago Cut (300 N. LaSalle St.) and $441 for nine “meetings” at 312 Chicago (136 N. La Salle St.) along with meetings at the Berghoff, Tavern on Rush, Petterinos, Siena Tavern, The Whiskey Bar, Randolph Tavern and Boone’s Saloon in Springfield, across from the Illinois State Capitol.
Washington Square Liquors, Inc. was first incorporated in 1987. Its current president is Shay Ghazimoradi, 32, who lists his home address as 420 N. Clark Street, Chicago, or the same address as Boss Bar.
In 2017, Ghazimoradi contributed $5,400 to Reilly and another $2,500 to the Reilly-controlled 42nd Ward Democratic Organization.
In March, Reilly spoke out against St. Patrick's Day revelers in his ward, condemning the "thousands of drunk suburban kids who used our neighborhoods like a giant toilet bowl."
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Chicago's Barfly Alderman?
42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly has paid the tab at this favorite River North bar 198 times, totaling nearly $30,000.
| Paid To | Date | Amount | Purpose |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, August 26, 2010 | $32.00 | Political Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, September 7, 2010 | $60.00 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Friday, October 29, 2010 | $150.00 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 15, 2010 | $40.00 | Political Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, December 3, 2010 | $43.50 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Monday, December 13, 2010 | $50.00 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, April 7, 2011 | $115.00 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, April 7, 2011 | $168.00 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, April 28, 2011 | $43.80 | Political Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, May 18, 2011 | $84.00 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 6, 2011 | $79.80 | Political Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, June 17, 2011 | $55.00 | Political Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 20, 2011 | $92.75 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, June 23, 2011 | $45.00 | Political Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, June 28, 2011 | $60.40 | Donor Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, July 5, 2011 | $83.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, July 14, 2011 | $43.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, August 1, 2011 | $75.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, August 15, 2011 | $85.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, August 22, 2011 | $37.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, September 9, 2011 | $67.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, September 19, 2011 | $33.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, September 19, 2011 | $82.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, September 26, 2011 | $70.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, September 26, 2011 | $36.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, October 3, 2011 | $46.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, October 11, 2011 | $81.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 14, 2011 | $74.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, November 18, 2011 | $120.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 28, 2011 | $46.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, December 9, 2011 | $80.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, January 17, 2012 | $85.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, February 29, 2012 | $191.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, March 14, 2012 | $22.94 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, March 20, 2012 | $200.00 | Gratuity |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, March 21, 2012 | $64.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, May 21, 2012 | $69.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, June 8, 2012 | $68.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, June 22, 2012 | $99.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, June 29, 2012 | $121.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 2, 2012 | $100.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 9, 2012 | $98.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, July 27, 2012 | $42.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 30, 2012 | $73.55 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 30, 2012 | $21.90 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, August 29, 2012 | $54.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, October 5, 2012 | $19.92 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, October 12, 2012 | $24.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, October 26, 2012 | $58.47 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, December 24, 2012 | $107.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, October 2, 2013 | $50.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, December 20, 2013 | $142.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, March 20, 2014 | $472.00 | Election Night |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 9, 2014 | $54.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, June 26, 2014 | $118.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, August 7, 2014 | $43.15 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, September 19, 2014 | $27.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, September 22, 2014 | $237.25 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, November 6, 2014 | $1,071.35 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Friday, December 12, 2014 | $90.35 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, December 22, 2014 | $211.90 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, February 11, 2015 | $48.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, February 13, 2015 | $56.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, February 17, 2015 | $111.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, February 19, 2015 | $72.70 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, February 26, 2015 | $191.50 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, March 30, 2015 | $77.70 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, April 10, 2015 | $232.30 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 1, 2015 | $37.95 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, June 4, 2015 | $140.50 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, June 19, 2015 | $33.15 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, July 17, 2015 | $37.45 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, July 21, 2015 | $165.90 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, July 24, 2015 | $88.75 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 27, 2015 | $102.45 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, September 11, 2015 | $105.75 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, September 25, 2015 | $65.90 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, October 2, 2015 | $64.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, October 13, 2015 | $87.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, October 23, 2015 | $120.95 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, October 26, 2015 | $199.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, October 30, 2015 | $199.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 2, 2015 | $92.45 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | $212.45 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, December 21, 2015 | $280.15 | Holiday Party |
| Boss Bar | Friday, January 22, 2016 | $109.05 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, January 25, 2016 | $87.15 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, February 1, 2016 | $77.05 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, February 8, 2016 | $72.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, February 11, 2016 | $60.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, February 12, 2016 | $272.70 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, February 16, 2016 | $163.55 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, February 17, 2016 | $74.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, February 29, 2016 | $101.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, March 7, 2016 | $220.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, March 10, 2016 | $92.15 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, March 28, 2016 | $126.15 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, March 31, 2016 | $60.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, April 11, 2016 | $79.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, April 15, 2016 | $98.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, April 22, 2016 | $156.45 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, May 2, 2016 | $226.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, May 9, 2016 | $122.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, May 12, 2016 | $37.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, May 23, 2016 | $29.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, June 16, 2016 | $40.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, June 22, 2016 | $30.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, June 24, 2016 | $155.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 27, 2016 | $174.30 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, August 1, 2016 | $148.10 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, August 29, 2016 | $189.70 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, September 2, 2016 | $91.30 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, September 9, 2016 | $40.50 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, September 12, 2016 | $53.35 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, September 19, 2016 | $127.55 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, September 21, 2016 | $73.55 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, September 26, 2016 | $140.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, September 30, 2016 | $289.60 | Donor Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, October 4, 2016 | $95.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, October 28, 2016 | $142.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, November 10, 2016 | $1,498.65 | Election Night Party |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 21, 2016 | $154.10 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, December 23, 2016 | $66.30 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, January 9, 2017 | $147.15 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, January 13, 2017 | $56.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, January 19, 2017 | $291.30 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, March 2, 2017 | $143.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, March 9, 2017 | $100.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, March 17, 2017 | $70.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, March 20, 2017 | $219.55 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, April 10, 2017 | $160.90 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, April 17, 2017 | $134.10 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, April 24, 2017 | $258.15 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, May 19, 2017 | $34.65 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, May 25, 2017 | $91.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 5, 2017 | $101.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 12, 2017 | $144.45 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 26, 2017 | $147.30 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, June 29, 2017 | $103.95 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 3, 2017 | $307.45 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, July 13, 2017 | $262.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 17, 2017 | $158.35 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 31, 2017 | $250.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, August 7, 2017 | $66.85 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, August 21, 2017 | $401.05 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, September 12, 2017 | $80.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, September 14, 2017 | $38.05 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, September 26, 2017 | $42.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, October 2, 2017 | $224.45 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, October 10, 2017 | $220.85 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, October 16, 2017 | $394.50 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, October 19, 2017 | $65.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, November 3, 2017 | $178.35 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 6, 2017 | $142.85 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 6, 2017 | $327.55 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 13, 2017 | $74.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 13, 2017 | $91.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, November 20, 2017 | $254.65 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, December 1, 2017 | $88.65 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, December 4, 2017 | $344.05 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, December 7, 2017 | $105.05 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, December 8, 2017 | $120.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, December 11, 2017 | $545.90 | Event Expense |
| Boss Bar | Wednesday, December 20, 2017 | $69.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, December 21, 2017 | $120.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, December 22, 2017 | $321.60 | Event Expense |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, December 26, 2017 | $150.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, January 16, 2018 | $319.50 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, January 16, 2018 | $292.25 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, February 5, 2018 | $84.15 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, February 20, 2018 | $140.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, March 5, 2018 | $235.50 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, March 9, 2018 | $172.35 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, March 12, 2018 | $210.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, March 16, 2018 | $43.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Saturday, March 17, 2018 | $967.55 | Volunteer Appreciation |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, March 20, 2018 | $1,607.65 | Election Night Party |
| Boss Bar | Monday, March 26, 2018 | $49.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, March 29, 2018 | $221.05 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, April 20, 2018 | $9.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, May 24, 2018 | $207.25 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, May 25, 2018 | $221.10 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | $230.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | $26.25 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, June 7, 2018 | $81.20 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 11, 2018 | $231.25 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 18, 2018 | $227.65 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, June 18, 2018 | $101.60 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, June 22, 2018 | $97.35 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, June 28, 2018 | $34.00 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 2, 2018 | $306.30 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Monday, July 16, 2018 | $276.95 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, August 2, 2018 | $101.40 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, August 3, 2018 | $149.80 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, August 30, 2018 | $198.75 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, August 30, 2018 | $76.95 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Thursday, September 6, 2018 | $194.50 | Meeting |
| Boss Bar | Friday, September 7, 2018 | $231.25 | Meeting |
| TOTAL | $29,824.33 |
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