6 city department heads donate $17K to Berwyn mayor’s campaign fund

Six of Berwyn's department heads have donated more than $17,000 to Mayor Robert Lovero's campaign fund and his political party, the Democratic Citizens of Berwyn, according to campaign finance records published by the Illinois Sunshine organization.

As of Sept. 4, Lovero had paid himself $82,137 from his campaign fund for "consulting" fees, the Sunshine Project also reported.

Illinois Sunshine is a nonprofit that tracks campaign contributions in the state.

In addition to his monthly $1,000 consulting fee, Lovero's mayoral salary is $83,152, according to 2020 city records.

Lovero’s full-time job is in real estate.

Berwyn’s department heads are recommended for hire by the mayor to the City Council. None of the department heads have donated to any other Berwyn political group or candidates, records indicate.

Aldermen aligned with Lovero’s Democratic Citizens of Berwyn are Rafael Avila (7th), Cesar Santoy (6th), Scott Lennon (1st) and Anthony Nowak, who Lovero appointed to the 8th Ward seat after the resignation of Edgar Garcia.

Nowak, who is running unopposed in the April election, has donated $870 to Lovero's campaign fund since 2016, records show.

City Attorney Anthony Bertuca has donated nearly $12,500 to the Lovero campaign and nearly $2,200 to the DCOB since 2015. Bertuca also gave more than $30,000 to Cicero Mayor Larry Dominick’s campaign chest, records show.

Building Department director Charles Lazzara has contributed $6,020 to Lovero's campaign since 2011 and an additional $900 to the DCOB. Lazzara's salary and benefits are listed at $100,225, according to 2020 Berwyn budget documents.

Berwyn Recreation Department director Anthony Martinucci has contributed almost $4,000 to Lovero's campaign fund since 2013. Martinucci's salary and benefits are $98,740, according to city documents.

Fire Chief Thomas Hayes has given $2,885 to Lovero's political war chest and $200 to the DCOB since 2014. The Better Government Organization puts Hayes' 2018 base salary at $183,941.

Police Chief Michael Cimaglia has contributed more than $1,000 to Lovero’s campaign since 2018. The BGO reports Cimaglia’s base 2018 salary at $172,425.

Director of Community Development Regina Mendecino has given $450 to Lovero's campaign and $160 to the DCOB, records show.

Administrative Manager Claudia Ayala has donated $160 to Lovero’s campaign, and has received $4,630 in consulting fees and “campaign work” from the DCOB and Alderman Santoy, who isn’t running for reelection.

According to Illinois Sunshine's quarterly report posted Sept. 30, Lovero's campaign has $259,390 cash on hand. The biggest expense listed is $314,361, paid Sept. 20 to Glen Eagles Country Club in Lemont. As of Feb. 24, Lovero also had spent $88,200 at Paisan's Pizzeria and Bar.

Top donors to Lovero’s campaign fund include the Berwyn Firefighters Union ($39,450), the Del Galdo Law Group ($36,000), Metro Towing Service ($38,500), the Buona Companies LLC ($37,745) and Cuda Law Offices ($37,745), records show.