Illinois politicians spend millions in campaign funds on meals, sometimes at swanky restaurants – Chicago Sun-Times

Over the last decade, “meal” was a stated purpose in Illinois election disclosure reports for more than $6 million in campaign spending. Other campaigns have reported visits to restaurants in other ways, including as “meetings.” Illinois campaign funds spent more than $50,000 at Hooters locales since 2001 — with more than $40,000 of that spent at a Lansing franchise by state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, a Democrat who doubles as mayor of Calumet City.