* As expected, state Rep. Aaron Schock has a big money lead in the GOP primary to replace Congressman Ray LaHood…

State Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, has netted $375,913 since filing candidacy with the Federal Election Commission in mid-August. John Morris, who for the last 10 years has overseen private fundraising as vice president for development for WTVP-TV, Channel 47, has raised about $218,210, according to federal campaign disclosure reports filed Monday.

Heartland Partnership CEO Jim McConoughey has roughly $55,000 in cash on hand, a spokesman said. The actual amount he raised wasn’t yet posted by early Monday evening.

They must have an early deadline in Peoria. McConoughey loaned himself $50,000 and raised just $5,300 during the quarter.

Schock spent about $74,674, leaving him with more than $301,000 in cash on hand, while Morris spent about $20,500 and has about $197,350 in cash

Dick Versace just got into the race, so he doesn’t have to file his disclosure report until January.

* It appears that Schock had several of his contributors send in the maximum amount for both the primary and general elections. 41 of his 193 contributors sent in $4600, so over $94,000 of that cash can’t be spent until after the February primary. Even so, Schock still raised more for the primary than Morris and he has a big leg up on the general.

* The Tribune has more on other races…

Kirk [raised more than $525,000 and] had more than $1.5 million in his campaign kitty at the end of the reporting period, reports showed.

Seals, who nearly upset Kirk a year ago in his maiden political campaign, focusing on the war in Iraq, raised an estimated $300,000 during the third quarter, giving him close to $500,000. Footlik, an adviser on Jewish affairs under President Bill Clinton, raised nearly $200,000, bringing his contributions to around $480,000.

* And Bean’s numbers…

In the northwest suburban 8th District, two-termer Bean of Barrington had about $1 million in her fund after raising about $377,000. […]

Bean’s leading Republican opponent, Long Grove businessman Steven Greenberg, has raised about $180,000 since he announced his campaign in July. Republicans Kirk Morris of Gurnee, the father of a Marine killed in Iraq, and Ken Arnold, a health benefits consultant from Gurnee, did not file.

* Lipinski race…

Chicago’s 3rd District race witnessed a rarity: a challenger raising more than the incumbent in a primary. Mark Pera, a Cook County assistant state’s attorney, raised $100,000 for the third quarter. Lipinski raised $76,000. The second-term incumbent still leads in cash on hand, $321,000 to $180,000.

That cash on hand is probably the more important number, however, and Little Lip has a clear lead. Still, Pera showed he can rake in cash, so we’ll see.

* Hastert’s seat…

In the far west suburban 14th District, Oberweis and Lauzen are virtually tied in the amount of cash on hand. Lauzen had $528,000 left as of Sept. 30 after spending only $17,000, while Oberweis had $178,000 left and announced he added another $325,000 Monday. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns raised about $68,000 and had $51,000 left.

On the Democratic side, retired physicist Bill Foster raised the most at nearly $209,000, and added $200,000 of his money. Geneva attorney Jotham Stein collected $61,600 to push his total to $105,000, but he had less than $34,000 left. John Laesch, who lost to Hastert in November, raised $45,000 and had about $20,000 left.

* From the Bill Foster campaign…

In unitemized contributions, we were the clear winners in all of this. That’s the measuring stick of grassroots support since those are the low dollar donors. In fact, we outraised our primary opponents combined and the GOP field combined.

DEM
Foster: 38710.98
Laesch: 19254.87
Stein: 11837.27

GOP
Burns: 9638.50
Lauzen: 5395.00
Oberweiss: 2200.00

Lots of grist. Discuss away…

*** UPDATE *** Dan Hynes endorses Foster. From a press release…

Illinois State Comptroller Dan Hynes announced today his endorsement of scientist and businessman Bill Foster for Congress in the Democratic primary election.

“Bill Foster is the type of voice we need in Washington to bring real change to families here in Illinois,” said Hynes. “His background as a scientist and a businessman gives him the ability to take a fresh look at the challenges our country faces. I’m proud to give him my support.”

It should be interesting to see how second-time candidate John Laesch responds. Laesch was known for his goofy rantings last year and he hasn’t disappointed this year, either. When Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias endorsed Foster, Laesch had this to say…

“Laesch shrugged off Giannoulias’ endorsement, calling him “just a wealthy guy who bought himself an office.”

“I don’t think it’s a big endorsement of any kind,” he said.”