BRONZEVILLE — A Cook County jury has awarded $1.475 million to former 4th Ward aldermanic candidate Ebony Lucas, finding that Ald. Lamont Robinson’s political action committee and the 4th Ward Democratic Organization defamed her with misleading campaign materials ahead of the February 2023 election.
The ruling includes $225,000 in compensatory damages and $1.25 million in punitive damages, far exceeding the $100,000 Lucas initially sought when she filed the lawsuit. Lucas, a longtime community activist and attorney, argued that a trio of mailers and campaign text messages branded her a “slumlord” in the final days leading up to the Feb. 28 election.
“We’ve gotten used to and afraid of speaking out in these campaigns when things like this happen,” Lucas told Block Club Chicago after the verdict. “You’re sending out misinformation, and if we don’t want the Republican Party to do that, then the Democratic Party can’t do it, either.”
A High-Stakes Judgment in a Heated Race
Lucas previously ran for the 4th Ward seat in 2017, 2019, and 2023. In her most recent bid, she narrowly missed the runoff, finishing just 104 votes behind Prentice Butler, who went on to face Robinson in the April runoff election.
She claimed the last-minute campaign tactics from Robinson’s side, which included statements accusing her of unpaid debts, building code violations, and city fines, significantly damaged her public image and voter support.
Lucas called out the alleged misinformation in a public letter published by the Hyde Park Herald during the final days of the campaign, stating it was not only defamatory but hypocritical — especially because Robinson co-sponsored a “Truth In Politics” bill as a state representative.
Jury Sends a Message About Chicago Politics
Lucas emphasized that the verdict represents more than just personal vindication.
“This sends a message, not just in the 4th Ward, but throughout the entire city, that the tides have to change,” she said. “In politics, we want to continue to win as Democrats, and that means that we have to fight fairly.”
She noted that during jury selection, many jurors expressed frustration with “machine politics” and the long-standing issue of political mudslinging in Chicago elections — even though many identified as Democrats.
Robinson Pushes Back
In a statement provided to Block Club, Ald. Robinson stood by his campaign and pledged to challenge the ruling.
“This lawsuit has always been politically motivated,” he said. “Residents of the 4th Ward voted for me because they knew I would fight for them… My priority is addressing the real challenges we face, not engaging in political theater.”
Robinson referenced recent federal cuts to programs like Job Corps and said his focus remains on public safety and student support in his community.
Lucas: No More Campaigns, But Still Committed
Lucas, a mother of five, attorney, and business owner, said the experience of repairing her public image over the past two years has been exhausting and that she does not plan to run for office again.
However, she left the door open to remain involved in the political arena in another capacity.
“While this was a very difficult thing for me to do, I’m glad I stuck with it… I did it because it sends a message.”
What do you think? Should political campaigns face harsher penalties for misinformation? Share your thoughts in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
