Chicago City Wire

Willie Wilson, a Chicago mayoral candidate, on Wednesday scored the endorsement of a group of local religious leaders as he runs to try to unseat Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

"I know we celebrate him for what he did with our young men who didn't have bail,” Bishop Larry Trotter – speaking on behalf of the city’s Black clergy leaders – said during an event at Sweet Spirit Holy Church that was covered by Fox 32. “We celebrate him for the food. We celebrate him for the gas. But I also want to celebrate him because he has a plan for the city to get crime off the street.” 

Wilson has made the fight against crime a cornerstone of his campaign.

Over the years, Wilson has earned a reputation as a generous philanthropist,  putting up the money to help those who have been jailed who didn't have bail money. He had also conducted an array of food and gas giveaways to help those in need and struggling with the rising cost of living, ABC7 reported. 

That work has drawn some criticism from political rivals, including Lightfoot and her team who question whether the acts fall within ethical boundaries.

Wilson defends his giveaways as something he's always done. 

"I'd rather lose the election versus see somebody starving to death," he said.