Redditors were shocked to hear about a Chicago alderman who misused his position to retaliate against a critic by issuing citations for a 12-year-old native plant lawn. WTTW reported on the case of Ald. Jim Gardiner, who was fined $20,000 in October 2023 by the Chicago Board of Ethics. The board found that Gardiner committed 10 total violations, each with a maximum $2,000 penalty.