A former member of the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission has been fined $2,500 for violating the state ethics law.

A commission report released Tuesday said Stephen Thurston attended a March 2011 prayer breakfast and campaign fundraiser for a Chicago City Council candidate.

State law prohibits commissioners from contributing to political campaigns or even attending a political event related to a specific office.

Thurston spoke at the breakfast in support of aldermanic hopeful David Moore.

He told investigators he didn't think he violated the law. But he did not contest the findings of an investigation by Executive Inspector General Ricardo Meza (MAY'-suh).

Thurston left the commission in October 2011. He could have faced a fine of $5,000 but the commission noted his cooperation.