What’s Going On With Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin?

The city treasurer has been in the news a lot lately: Melissa Conyears-Ervin officially launched her congressional bid following allegations of ethics violations from former city employees. As 2024 races ramp up, here’s the latest on Conyears-Ervin.

What Was Conyears-Ervin Accused of?

Among allegations by two former top aides, the Tribune reported the treasurer was accused of:

• Using government workers to plan her child’s birthday party and grocery shop on the clock
• Hiring a former police officer as an assistant city treasurer but using him as security instead
• Trying to get a bank where city money is deposited to issue a mortgage for the building where her husband, 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin, works

What Was the Aftermath?

After the 2020 allegations were made public over the summer, the city’s inspector general seized computers from the treasurer’s City Hall offices. The treasurer said she has since restructured her office, Politico reported.

As part of the city’s $100,000 settlement, the whistleblowers fired by Conyears-Ervin are prohibited from publicly speaking negatively about working in her office (a gag order unusual for City Hall settlements).

And Conyears-Ervin’s Congressional Bid?

Initially paused in the wake of the scandal, the treasurer is challenging longtime U.S. Rep. Danny Davis for the 7th Congressional District. Activist Kina Collins is also running again after almost unseating Davis in 2022.