Chicago ethics board issues its largest fine ever Ald. Carrie Austin’s 34th Ward Regular Democratic Committee faces a $145,500 fine for accepting excess campaign contributions from a construction company that does work for the city. Ald. Carrie Austin, 34th Chicago’s Board of Ethics has levied its largest fine ever—$145,500—against a political fundraising committee for 34th Ward Ald. Carrie Austin for accepting campaign contributions in excess of city law. The fine against the 34th Ward Regular Democratic Committee, which Austin chairs, marks the first time the board has applied the “treble damages” provision for excess campaign contributions. It is also the largest fine ever levied by the board, Executive Director Steve Berlin told Crain’s in an email.