Dr. Willie Wilson said Wednesday that he's donating $100,000 to his campaign for Chicago mayor.
Wilson, who also ran in 2015, said his contribution is a "clear indicator of his determination to rid Chicago of the worse [sic] mayor it has ever had."
Wilson is among at least four candidates looking to unseat incumbent Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the February 2019 election.
"I am prepared to do whatever it takes to win this race for mayor and to give the citizens of all 77 neighborhoods a leader with a heart for the people," Wilson said in a statement.
Wilson not only ran for mayor once before, he was also a presidential candidate in 2016 for a short time. The businessman who owned and operated various McDonald's restaurants said in announcing his campaign this time around that he is convinced voters are looking for an alternative.
Wilson said his contribution would lift the self-funding campaign finance limit, allowing candidates to contribute any amount to their own committees throughout the election.
The Illinois State Board of Elections did not immediately respond to request for comment on that limit and laws surrounding campaign finance in the mayoral race.
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Wilson said his contribution was an effort to "level the playing field," but admitted that the action may assist other candidates in spending "upwards of $50 million" in the race.
Other candidates looking to take on Emanuel include ousted Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, and former CPS Principal Troy LaRaviere, who have all officially announced their campaigns.
Meanwhile, speculation has surrounded other political figures like Chris Kennedy's lieutenant governor candidate Ra Joy, attorney and Chicago Police Board President Lori Lightfoot, and community activist Amara Enyia, among others.
