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* Twitters…
WOW. Political contributions in IL have already exceeded $100 MILL, and still 5 months left in 2016 #ILSunshine https://t.co/V6nL2594zg
— ILCampaign (@ILCampaign) July 29, 2016
* From that link…
Political contributions and transfers in Illinois for 2016 have now surpassed $100 million, nearing total amounts contributed in previous Presidential Election years.
In 2012 and 2008, there were $171 million and $151 million in contributions and transfers respectively. Years with Gubernatorial Elections tend to see more state level contributions, with over $340 million in 2014 and over $277 million in 2010.The Illinois Republican Party spent over $130,000 on independent expenditures during the last two weeks. The money went towards advertisements for 11 challengers of Democratic incumbents in the House and Senate. No independent expenditures have been made on behalf of the Democrats in those races.
The Citizens to Protect Transportation Funding, a ballot initiative committee,
continued an upward fundraising trend this week. On Monday, the committee received $300,000 donation from Excavators, Inc and a $50,000 donation from Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program. Those donations alone doubled the committee’s total funds from two weeks ago when there was a pick up in their fundraising. The group, which was founded in late June, already has $827,000 in available funds. They support an amendment that would create a lockbox for transportation funds.
The key word here is “transfers.” Transfers are just what they sound like: One campaign committee transfers money to another campaign committee. So, most transfers aren’t really “new” money. It’s money already in the system being moved around.
* So, I asked for the breakdown and here’s their response…
Since January 1st of 2016, there has been just over $54 million in contributions, $38 million in transfers, $6 million in loans to committees, and $4 million in in-kind contributions. That’s how we arrive at the total of roughly $102 million as of today - an updated number from yesterday’s $1.7 million.
So, the “new” money total is more like $64 million, including contributions, loans, and in-kinds.
* But look at how this year - so far - compares to previous presidential election years…
2012
- $38 million in individual contributions
- $17 million in transfers
- $4.7 million in loans
- $3.5 million in in-kindsTotal of $63.2 million
2008
- $36 million in contributions
- $16.8 million in transfers
- $5 million in loans
- $3 milion in in-kindsTotal of $60.8 million
It’s a whole new world, campers.
*** UPDATE *** Missed this one…
The House Republican Organization got another $500,000 from the Illinois GOP — money from a $5 million contribution from Gov. Bruce Rauner back in May.
The HRO has now received $3.5 million from the state Republican Party since May 10 as it continues a concerted cable TV advertising campaign targeting potential Democratic incumbents. House Republican leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, is trying to cut into Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan’s supermajority.
In addition to the HRO campaign operations, the state Republican Party last week also reported spending an additional $132,526 on legislative campaign mailings supporting 11 candidates against many of the same targeted Democrats.
The Democrats being challenged by Republicans in the mailings are Reps. Michelle Mussman, of Schaumburg; Sam Yingling, of Grayslake; Kate Cloonen, of Kankakee; Andy Skoog, of LaSalle; Mike Smiddy, of Hillsdale; Daniel Beiser, of Alton; John Bradley, of Marion; Brandon Phelps, of Harrisburg; and Sens. Tom Cullerton, of Villa Park; Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, of Shorewood; and Gary Forby, of Benton.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 11:42 am
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If you are a Democrat looking to run and defeat Bruce Rauner, look at these numbers, today, and fully grasp, understand, tattoo it to your brain…
Rauner is going to be willing to go &100 million.
Read it. Know it.
These numbers are a precursor.
If you can’t get close to $70 million, face an avalanche of negative ads, support a ground game, and try to go after Rauner…
… forget running for governor. Be honest with yourself now.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 11:55 am
This makes me intensely sad.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 12:36 pm
Geez … I really hope they’re using all of this money in Illinois and not going out-of-state. Rauner could single-handedly boost the Illinois economy with all the $$$ he’s willin’ to spend on beatin’ Democrats in the Fall.
Comment by BBG Watch Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 12:50 pm
I knew the numbers were astronomical, but it has been some time since I looked at these.
The money involved is verging on the obscene and it will only get worse thanks to Citizens United and the way moneys can now be assembled and distributed. The Dark Money will not go away without there being substantive changes on both the Federal and State level.
And, once again, Willy is absolutely correct about what Rauner is prepared to do to make certain he controls the narrative, agenda and the dynamics of future elections in Illinois.
Comment by illini Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 1:30 pm
Rauner didn’t have to deal with Trump comparisons during his initial run for office. People are also getting mighty upset about Big Money and the Citizens United ruling. And, Bernie proved that $27 in small lots goes a looonnnggg way!
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 1:53 pm
To the Update,
Rauner will continue to fund the Caucuses, and now that IllinoisGo is no more, Rauner needs to keep his strong financial hold on “what he still has” and grow Raunerism where he can(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 2:00 pm
Thanks Citizens United. That case needs to be overtuned ASAP
Comment by DS Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 2:04 pm
It’s amazing that these contributions keep coming in for republicans with practically no change happening. Either change is going to cost a lot more, or change just isn’t going to happen. How are these contributors even convinced to give to the IL GOP?
Comment by BK Bro Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 2:10 pm
So much money and so little illumination.
Has support for helping others dropped so far? Advertising can’t win elections unless there is a market for the message.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 2:13 pm
No better argument for overturning “Citizen’s” than this.
Comment by Galena Guy Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 2:39 pm
“… with virtually no change happening.”
I know! It’s almost as if those donors don’t believe more taxes = more prosperity, and they fear Madigan & Co.
Weird.
Comment by JB13 Friday, Jul 29, 16 @ 3:49 pm