You can’t buy votes.

That bit of the Illinois state election code is sort of a big deal. Scratch that … it’s illegal, corrupt and wrong. (So much so that anyone caught violating this rule is guilty of a class 4 felony.)

So what does a violation of this law look like?

Sort of like this: A Chicago alderman offering the chance to enter a raffle to win prizes from local businesses to anyone who can prove they voted.

Fifth Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston did just that when she used her Facebook page to issue the following instructions: “Vote--you're eligible no matter the candidate, then put their name and contact information on the back of their voter receipt. ... And stop by the Fifth Ward office and drop it off,” according to FOX 32 Chicago.

Source: FOX 32 Chicago

FOX 32 Chicago reported that Hairston issued the following statement:

"... my only intent was to encourage people to exercise their right to vote ... There was no subterfuge involved at any time. It may not have been well thought out, but it was well intentioned."

Hairston has removed the Facebook post.

Only in Chicago.

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