Worth a look
Worth a look Contribution limits
1 source gave more than the contribution limit ($700 over in all)
A candidate's committee may accept only so much from one source in an election cycle: in 2025–26, $7,300 from an individual, $14,600 from a corporation, union or association, and $72,800 from a PAC or another candidate's committee. The most over: Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC gave $73,500 in the primary cycle, against a limit of $72,800 for a PAC or candidate committee.
What to check- Excess returned to the source (or given to charity) within 30 days of the Board's notice isn't a violation; a refund the committee listed under another name or purpose isn't subtracted here.
- Two different people with the same name and ZIP code would be added together.
- Spouses are separate sources, as are a business and the person who owns it.
- Whether a corporation's or union's own PAC gave instead (the PAC limit applies to it).
The entries (1)
| Name | Kind | Cycle | Contributions | Given | Limit | Over |
|---|
| Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC | a PAC or candidate committee | primary | 8 | $73,500 | $72,800 | $700 |
Rule: Contributions over the limit
“During an election cycle, a candidate political committee may not accept contributions with an aggregate value over the following: (i) $5,000 from any individual, (ii) $10,000 from any corporation, labor organization, or association, or (iii) $50,000 from a candidate political committee or political action committee.”10 ILCS 5/9-8.5(b) (adjusted for inflation each odd year, 9-8.5(g)) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work
Context How the money was spent
$13,233.16 in payments described as a vehicle purchase, lease or payment
The Election Code bars campaign money for club and gym dues, clothing, vehicles not used mainly for the campaign, and tuition, each with exceptions. These payments' descriptions name one of those.
What to check- Club: renting a club for a specific campaign event is allowed; dues aren't.
- Clothing: costumes or items worn to advertise the campaign are allowed.
- Vehicle: allowed when used primarily for the campaign or government duties.
- Tuition: allowed for education directly tied to the official's duties.
The entries (12)
| Name | Kind | Purpose (as reported) | Date | Amount |
|---|
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car lease payment | 2025-07-09 | $4,016 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car Payment | 2025-02-10 | $2,633 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car Payment | 2025-03-10 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car Payment | 2025-04-01 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car Payment | 2025-05-08 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car Payment | 2025-06-05 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car lease payment | 2025-07-11 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car lease payment | 2025-08-12 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car payment | 2025-10-14 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car Payment | 2025-10-28 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car payment | 2025-11-13 | $658 |
| Joe Rizza Lincoln | a vehicle purchase, lease or payment | Car payment | 2025-12-09 | $658 |
Rule: Car leases and other restricted spending
“For membership or club dues charged by organizations, clubs, or facilities that are primarily engaged in providing health, exercise, or recreational services”10 ILCS 5/9-8.10(a)(7) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work
Context How the money was spent
$3,913.05 paid by the campaign to the candidate
Campaign money may go to a candidate or their family only as pay for work actually done; reimbursing campaign costs they paid out of pocket (mileage, travel, supplies) is common and allowed. The purposes the campaign wrote are listed with each payment.
What to check- Whether each payment is a reimbursement for campaign costs, or pay for work done.
- Family is matched by last name and the home address on file with the Board; relatives elsewhere aren't found.
The entries (1)
| Name | Who | Purpose (as reported) | Date | Amount |
|---|
| Ram Villivalam | the candidate | Travel for Germany Trip | 2025-01-08 | $3,913 |
Rule: Mileage, reimbursements and pay to the candidate
“For payments to a public official or candidate or his or her family member unless for compensation for services actually rendered by that person.”10 ILCS 5/9-8.10(a)(11) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work
Campaign money
$1,093,558raised, 397 itemized contributions, plus $5,267 in small ones
$0from the candidate (incl. loans)
$825,005spent
$531,074cash on hand on June 30, 2026
$263,870 of it in 55 large contributions reported on A-1s since their last quarterly report (through June 30, 2026): $1,000 or more from one source must be reported within days, ahead of the next quarterly.
Health Care Council of Illinois PAC $30,000 2026-08-07 · 613 PAC $25,000 2026-08-07 · IPACE $25,000 2026-08-07 · Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC $20,000 2026-09-11 · SEIU Local 1 $20,000 2026-09-11 · Bridge, Structural & Ornamental Iron Workers Local 111 PAC $10,000 2026-08-07 · Chicago Auto Trade PAC of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association $10,000 2026-08-07 · Illinois Bankers PAC $10,000 2026-09-11 · Ironworkers District Council of Chicago & Vicinity PAC $10,000 2026-08-07 · SEIU HealthCare IL IN PAC $6,000 2026-09-11
Where their money comes from (besides their own)
10%14%42%32%
IndividualsBusinessesTrade, professional and issue groupsLabor unionsParties and legislative caucusesOther candidates and officeholders
Compare with all state candidates →
How it was spent: $825,005
Contributions to other committees$253,944
Other (as described)$158,961
Consultants and field$138,405
Staff pay$74,826
Office, printing and supplies$65,934
Donations and sponsorships$52,543
Travel and meals$39,070
Fundraising and events$17,981
Digital and online$12,692
Polling$5,150
Largest payees: New Chicago Consulting, LLC. $121,079 Consultants and field · Friends of Elizabeth Granato $72,800 Contributions to other committees · Friends of Kevin Olickal $70,000 Contributions to other committees · Jonathan Khoshaba $65,931 Staff pay · Casa dei Bambini Montessori of Mayfair $47,311 Other (as described) · Eagle Ridge $35,504 Other (as described) · Barone Realty $34,200 Office, printing and supplies · Citizens for Karina Villa $30,000 Contributions to other committees
Grouped by the purpose each payment lists (“direct mail”, “consulting”), so the groups are approximate; a consultant's payments to others (ads, mail) show under the consultant.
| Top contributors | Type | Total |
|---|
Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC
Countryside | Committee | $113,500 |
IPACE
Springfield | Committee | $97,800 |
Health Care Council of Illinois PAC
Springfield | Committee | $61,000 |
613 PAC
Lincolnwood | Committee | $44,500 |
Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois
Springfield | Committee | $40,000 |
Illinois Laborers' Legislative Committee
Springfield | Committee | $22,500 |
CAR of Illinois
Springfield | Committee | $20,000 |
Chicago Auto Trade PAC of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Oakbrook Terrace | Committee | $20,000 |
Downstate Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC
Peoria | Committee | $20,000 |
SEIU Local 1
Chicago | Committee | $20,000 |
Carpentry Advancement PAC Fund
Chicago | Committee | $17,500 |
Teamsters' Volunteers in Politics
Willow Springs | Committee | $16,000 |
Assyrian American Political Advocacy Committee
Morton Grove | Committee | $15,000 |
Illinois Bankers PAC
Springfield | Committee | $15,000 |
Ironworkers District Council of Chicago & Vicinity PAC
Des Plaines | Committee | $15,000 |
Committee: Friends of Ram (every report they filed is on the State Board of Elections' site). Data current as of October 12, 2026.
Their home
$400,000 – $500,000estimated market value, 2026 assessment
$335,800median home value in Cook County (Illinois: $280,700)
The Cook County assessor's estimate of the market value of the home at the address Ram Villivalam filed with the State Board of Elections, shown as a range; the address isn't published here. Assessments trail the market and can be appealed, so treat it as a rough figure. How this works. Medians: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024.