Gardiner takes illegal donation from a union buster
Public records show that Alderman Jim Gardiner, during his Aldermanic campaign, accepted a $5,000 donation from city contractor Mark Lundgren in violation of city campaign finance laws (Section 2-156-445). City law prohibits donations from persons doing business with the city from donating over $1,500 per year to candidates for city office or city officials, yet Gardiner took over three times the legal limit from Lundgren.
It would be hard to believe this donation didn’t draw Gardiner’s attention at the time, as it was the only donation he received before the 2019 election that was greater than $1,500 from any individual or business - all of his large donations were from unions, himself, or family.
Record of campaign contribution from illinoissunshine.org.
Controversy regarding Mark Lundgren’s relationship with the city and unions dates back to 2007 when Mayor Daley awarded Lundgren’s non-union shop, Universal Security, a five-year contract to provide security guard services at O’Hare. At the time SEIU Local 1 questioned whether the award to a non-union business was retaliatory for SEIU’s role in local elections. Lundgren and Universal Security again made news in 2016 when he fired several workers in retaliation for their attempts to unionize and their recent association with SEIU. Lundgren’s anti-union history is easily discovered with a simple Google search.
Since 2007, the city has paid Universal Security over $94 million, with payments of nearly $8.5 million in 2019 and $7.4 million so far in 2020.
According to records maintained by the Illinois Secretary of State, Lundgren owns both ML Management and Universal Security, as well as several other businesses in Illinois, Florida, Iowa, and Indiana.
Property documents maintained by the Cook County Clerk confirm that this is the same Mark Lundgren, as ML Management owns the building in which Universal Security is located.
According to city code, Gardiner could face fines up to three times the amount of the illegal donation, which means he could be facing a fine of $10,500.
Gardiner did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.
Property records from the Cook County Recorder of Deeds for 1455 N Sedgwick, Universal Security’s office.
ML Management LLC filing information from Illinois Secretary of State
Universal Security Corp filing information from Illinois Secretary of State