Abuse of power & retaliationOversight & ethics enforcement

Chicago's ethics case against Ald. Jim Gardiner over 'weed ticket' retaliation collapses on appeal, clearing him of 10 violations and a $20,000 fine; Gardiner now suing the city, Board of Ethics, and former inspector general for $1 million

Confidence: Corroborated · 3 sourcesCity of Chicago · Sep 22, 2026

Subject of this story

Jim Gardiner, Alderman, 45th Ward

Also named

Oversight

Chicago Board of Ethics

Deborah Witzburg, Former Inspector General, City of Chicago

What happened

In October 2023 the Chicago Board of Ethics ruled 45th Ward Alderman Jim Gardiner committed 10 ethics violations and fined him $20,000 for directing city employees to issue unfounded weed and rodent citations against a constituent critic, Pete Czosnyka, whose yard actually held native plants purchased through a city program. Gardiner appealed, and in June 2025 an administrative hearing officer found the city failed to prove the violations by a preponderance of the evidence, clearing Gardiner and voiding the fine. In May 2026 Gardiner sued the City of Chicago, its Board of Ethics, and former Inspector General Deborah Witzburg for $1 million, alleging they maliciously pursued the ethics case against him.

Sources (3)

Block Club ChicagoAn administrative hearing officer found the city failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that Gardiner was liable for any of the ethics violations.

WTTW NewsAld. Jim Gardiner won't have to pay a $20,000 fine after he was cleared of violating the city's ethics ordinance.

Block Club ChicagoJames Gardiner is suing the City of Chicago, its Board of Ethics and former Inspector General Deborah Witzburg for $1 million over claims they 'maliciously' conspired to have him charged with violating the city's ethics ordinance.

Response

Jim Gardiner

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

I saw an update

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