* Last night at midnight was the deadline to file campaign finance pre-election reports, covering July 1 through October 3rd. As I told subscribers, the Tribune and I have different numbers for Bill Brady and Pat Quinn…

Republican Bill Brady has raised more than $9.3 million from July through Monday in his bid to become governor, edging out Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn, who has collected $8.7 million.

About $4.1 million of Brady’s take has come from the Republican Governors Association, which is betting big that Brady can defeat Quinn on Nov. 2.

The fundraising pace has picked up considerably the past two weeks. From July through Oct. 3, Brady collected $6 million in contributions and donated services, according to campaign discloures filed late Monday. Since Oct. 4, he’s collected another $3.3 million.

Quinn raised more than $1.9 million from various units of the politically powerful Service Employees’ International Union and at least $1.8 million from the Democratic Governors Association. He began July with $2.3 million in cash in his two political funds.

When I count both of Quinn’s campaign committees (and subtract money sent to one from the other), I get $9.3 million for Quinn as of early this morning And when I search the Board of Elections’ website for Brady’s contributions during the same period, I get this…

Either way, the money race is pretty darned close. And there’s lots of it, although not nearly as much as Rod Blagojevich raised. Heck, it’s not as much as Jane Byrne raised for her Chicago mayoral reelection: $10 million. And that was back in 1983. That’s almost $22 million in today’s dollars.

Also, it sure looks like the DGA spent a whole lot of cash on TV ads last summer for nothing. Sheesh, what a waste. The RGA has had much greater success with Brady.

* As of 10:54 this morning, Scott Lee Cohen has not yet filed his pre-election report. It’s not on par with knifing a hooker, but it’s still not legal. Cohen recently loaned his campaign $1 million. Green Party nominee Rich Whitney, on the other extreme, raised just $31,322.48 during the pre-election reporting period and about $2,500 since then.

* If you think Whitney’s numbers are low, try looking at Steve Kim’s pre-election report. $15,760 in cash. Oof. But that was still better than Robert Enriquez’s pathetic $6,288.50 in cash. Having trouble figuring out who they are? Kim is running against Lisa Madigan and Enriquez is up against Jesse White. They’re not Green Party guys, either. They’re Republicans, left out to dry.

* Democratic comptroller candidate filed his pre-election report 7 hours late. And he wants to manage the state’s books? Miller raised $195,274 in the pre-election reporting period to Judy Baar Topinka’s $193,380 in cash, plus $12K in in-kinds. Topinka started out with $473K to Miller’s $158K.

* Chuck Sweeny of the Rockford Register Star rode along on Bill Brady’s fancy campaign bus. His report is quite long and involved, but there are a couple of items of note. This, for instance, is a Brady quote…

“Even some Democrats realize we have to change our ways. And if they want to use me as the bad guy to say I forced them to do it, that’s fine with me,” he says.

That’s quite true. Every Democrat who is worried about what Brady will do is also worried about what Pat Quinn will do. If it wasn’t for the remap, many probably wouldn’t care all that much if Brady was elected because they could simply let him do his thing and take all the blame. Cutting programs will not be popular, no matter what some may think. His best hope is that the economy makes a roaring comeback by 2014.

Something else to take note of…

Pat Saunders of Polo has been listening to Brady’s speech.

“I don’t agree with him on everything, but he isn’t from Chicago, and he’s not a lawyer,” Saunders says.

The Chicago vs. Downstate divide is more intense than I’ve ever seen it. Brady is doing better than recent candidates in Democratic Downstate counties partly for that very reason.

Umm…

We are ahead of schedule, and campaign staffers don’t want to roll into Dixon before the noontime crowd being recruited by local Republicans has assembled. At a hamlet called Woosung, Brady sees a building supplies company, H.P. Lumber. His eyes light up. He says, “Let’s stop here.” The driver brakes quickly, but smoothly.

The owner and staff hadn’t expected guests, but they greet Brady with smiles and handshakes. The candidate kibitzes about building materials and the state of the local economy. Brady reminds me more of a district sales manager than a candidate for the state’s highest office.

I hope he wasn’t cutting business deals. Just kidding. Kinda.

* Speaking of Bloomington homebuilders, the Today Show had a segment today about how a house built with Bloomington building standards couldn’t stand up to high winds. Watch.

       

51 Comments - Curious - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:23 am: That should be October 3rd, not the 30th. - OneMan - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:24 am: == It’s not on par with knifing a hooker, == Just another example of the interesting election season we are having - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:28 am: Probably meant R.P. Lumber which is Daddy’s Little Deduction’s company. Very sharp reporting…But hey Sweeney is entitled to be totally comatose Remember wheen Capt Fax went on a buscapade with Blagoof and all the tales that produced. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:30 am: CFS, I’m still writing about it. lol And, Curious, thanks. Fixed. Oops. - Small Town Liberal - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:34 am: - His eyes light up. He says, “Let’s stop here.” - Is this where they keep Plummer stacking 2×4s so he doesn’t have the chance to make a fool of himself in public? - ourMagician - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:35 am: Honestly, I’m not sure why Lisa Madigan was regarded as untouchable this election season. Her father isn’t the most popular person and while I know they are different people, people have run against relatives before rather than their direct opponent. Also, while they certainly weren’t friends, some could question as to why the attorney general wasn’t a little more involved in the investigation of Blago before the feds. - just sayin' - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:37 am: Bill Brady, the best governor money can buy. - walter sobchak - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:37 am: It’s always interesting how the role of money and contributors seeking special treatment is decried yet candidates are judged by their ability to raise money from those who they will do favors for. If you don’t raise the money you are dismissed out of hand and if you do, especially in large amounts, you are considered ’serious’ despite ethical warts the size of Brady’s bus. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:41 am: “- just sayin’ - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:37 am: Bill Brady, the best governor money can buy. ” This is a very odd statement. Rich’s post shows nearly identical contributions to Quinn and Brady– but somehow Brady’s contributions are a problem for you? - David Ormsby - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:41 am: Madigan was investigating Blago and the feds asked her to back off so they could pursue their stellar investigation. We saw how that ended so far. - David Ormsby - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:43 am: –but he isn’t from Chicago, and he’s not a lawyer– The disdain works in reverse. - Team Sleep - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:49 am: Our M, I get your point. However, the beginning of last year’s candidate recruitment and subsequent petition passing seasons did not see the same voter anger and GOP wave as we are now experiencing. Even the GOP faithful didn’t think Bobby Schilling or Adam Kinzinger would be in the positions which they currently find themselves. If you are a well-regarded state’s attorney or wealthy lawyer, would you really want to run against (arguably) the most popular statewide elected official? Sometimes, though, I do wonder if the Blago-Lisa meme led her to reconsider her position of running for either Governor or Senator. That would have been fresh in voter’s memories and the NRSC would have certainly used that against her. In 4 years, though, people may have moved on a bit and wouldn’t be as swayed. - Ghost - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:51 am: I saw 3 Brady ad’s today on TV; and a good ad for Demuzzio adressing the McCan stuff. I wonder if Quinn will run some ad’s down here as well. Apparenlty he is to busy trying to find where he left his undewear to campaign down here…. I saw Madigan pull 60+% of the vote in districts where Topinka was pulling 70-80% in the last Gov race. I think it is fair to call her popualar. I was about to say she hasunchinkable armor, but I thought Kirk would be a blow out win as well. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:52 am: ===Honestly, I’m not sure why Lisa Madigan was regarded as untouchable=== Every poll taken has her at the top of the list of most popular state politicians. - Bill - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:58 am: ==Bill Brady, the best governor money can buy.== Rod will be really hurt if he reads this. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:09 pm: Bill, Rod was the worst governor money could buy. Big difference. lol - Matthew Star - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:12 pm: If Brady wins (more and more likely, and then Lisa Madigan wins Mayor of Chicago, does Brady alienate Asians and not pick Steve Kim for Atty Gen or does he pick Kim and we have a pretty weak Atty Gen? - Bill - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:24 pm: lol - wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:25 pm: –The Chicago vs. Downstate divide is more intense than I’ve ever seen it– You’ve got that right, especially when you talk about the governor’s race. A lot of folks you talk to were insulted and angry about that slick Chicago crook Blago’s disdain for Downstate, what with his flying back to Chicago every night on the taxpayer dime on days he deigned to show up for work in the capital. Quinn will pay a price Downstate for Blago, as well as for Chicago Dems (except Durbin) holding every office plus control of the GA. Back in the day, Dixon and Simon holding top offices assuaged a lot of Chicago-anxiety Downstate in a way that Durbin has not, IMO. - (618) Democrat - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:31 pm: Take away the $4.1 million the RGA gave Brady and his numbers don’t look nearly as good. The reason I point this out is the RGA can donate cash but unlike Unions and individual contributors they don’t have a vote in this election. - wizard - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:34 pm: 618-true, however, many union member do not vote the way union mgmt wishes or for whom the union contributed funds. this election could see that divide increasing. - unspun - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:36 pm: “Not on par with knifing a hooker”. For future reference, please provide advance warning before writing something that funny. I’m trying to drive from Chicago to Springfield without stopping, and you ruined it by sabotaging my bladder. Hysterical - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:38 pm: Speaking of big money, did anybody else pick up the story from yesterday that former County Board President George Dunne is still making donations to his favored candidates? Lisa Madigan and Jesse White both got $5K from George, nearly four years after his death. I love Illinois politics. Where else does this stuff happen? The dead may not vote in Chicago anymore, but they still play the game. - Chuck Head - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:44 pm: Guess chuck didnt make the HP connection. I doubt if he would haave stopped at any ordinary lumber yard - just sayin' - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:46 pm: Dear Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 11:41 am: There can be only one BEST. - Whatever - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:53 pm: Wordslinger — I agree, Durbin has totally abandoned downstate. He bought a condo in Chicago and now roots for the Cubs. No wonder people think he’s such a phony! - Liandro - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:55 pm: I missed all of them–Brady, Simon, and Madigan– when they came to Dixon. It’s nice to have them swing by, though. I wanted to hear Madigan, especially, since she’s the most popular politician in the state. Meanwhile I’m still waiting for my supposed Representative to show up and talk to us, but whatever. Hultgren’s been here many times, Foster just doesn’t like to come out. H.P. Lumber is about a minute out of town; it’s cool that Brady stopped and said hi. I like his bus tour move, I think it sends the right message. - (618) Democrat - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:56 pm: @wizard 12:34 Brady’s anti Union anti working men and women polices has united union members like I have never seen before. A huge part of Brady’s campaign has been attacking unions and their members, blaming them for everything that is wrong in Illinois. The choice has never been clearer in an election that I have been involved in. Pro Union Quinn. Anti Union Brady. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:58 pm: ===pick up the story from yesterday=== Subscribe. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:59 pm: ===I’m trying to drive from Chicago to Springfield without stopping=== Please, don’t read this blog while driving. Vandermyde reads it while hunting. That’s dangerous enough. - just sayin' - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 12:59 pm: Also, anyone see this story today? OLNEY DAILY MAIL – Republicans rally before election - Matt Courter “State Senator John O. Jones spoke next in support of Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady. Jones said accusations from the opposition stating Brady would close the prisons in Centralia and Vandalia are not true. Jones said he has never seen as much negative campaigning as there is in this election. Brady supports more prison guards, Jones said, adding that when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich wanted to close the prison in Vandalia, Brady opposed it.” Anyone know how MORE spending jives with a promise to cut spending? Bill Brady owes the downstate GOP county chairmen who got him over the finish line in the primary. A LOT of those guys work for IDOC as prison guards or other things. This is a huge unreported story this year. And why do you think Brady is so opposed to early release etc.? - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:01 pm: Thanks Rich. So that’s where the Tribune and the Ill Review got it. Can’t believe I missed it. - you - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:02 pm: anon, Rich does a fairly good job of bashing both sides. But I agree with you its been leaning a little. It also might be attributed to the candidates themselves and their statements. - hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:09 pm: “The Chicago vs. Downstate divide is more intense than I’ve ever seen it. Brady is doing better than recent candidates in Democratic Downstate counties partly for that very reason.” This is not a new development. JBT carried the downstate Dem counties too IIRC. Think back to how many Downstate Dems voted in protest for Eisendrath in the primary in 2006. Downstate Dems (aside from Jay Hoffman) didn’t want Blago on the ticket in 2006 but MJM and the rest of the Chicago Democrats threw the Democratic Party of Illinois and all Downstate Dems under the bus by not standing up against him then when they could have gotten rid of him by running someone else if only for being a bad governor if not for being a criminal. And that Pat Quinn allowed himself to be willingly associated with Blagojevich in 2006 on that ticket because proximity to power was more important than principle is one reason I can’t feel too bad for him if he loses. Where oh where are these Democrats who so vehemently opposed Dan Hynes now? Where are all the old buzzards who stood on stage with Quinn on election night? Why aren’t they on the stump with Quinn now? - wizard - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:14 pm: 618-the people in my agency (state) that i have talked to said they could not vote for quinn regardless what the union says. i concur. - OneMan - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:15 pm: == The choice has never been clearer in an election that I have been involved in. Pro Union Quinn. Anti Union Brady. == And if that is how you define the world then I would see why you are a Quinn supporter. Are you a member of a public employee union perchance? - (618) Democrat - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:28 pm: @oneman 13:15 I have never worked in the public sector. I have spent my entire career in the private sector. So to answer your perchance question. No chance. - ShadyBillBrady - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 1:50 pm: Matthew Star, good question about Kim. For as little money as he has raised, it’s interesting he gave such a big chunk from his campaign stash to Citizens for Bill Brady. ($2000 on 9/17). And, somewhat tongue in cheek, somewhat not … there are some in the Bloomington area who would say that not only would a house built by Bloomington standards not hold up to high winds, but a house built by Brady might not even hold up to Bloomington standards. - ShadyBillBrady - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:04 pm: You know who else got a condo in Chicago? Bill Brady. And his tweets about the Blackhawks make me chuckle too. He’s Chicago through and through, if you’re from Chicago and he needs your vote. He’s the anti-Chicago downstater if you hate Chicago as much as the next guy. - OneMan - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:07 pm: Thats an answer (618)… - (618) Democrat - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:18 pm: Ok OneMan let me make this simple for you, apparently that is what is needed here. No I do not work for a public employee union. - steve schnorf - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:25 pm: For crying out loud, every candidate for Governor not from Chicago that I’ve known gets an apartment or condo in Chicago during the campaign, and after if they win. It is simple logistics, not some stupid secret conspiracy. Jeez. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:31 pm: As usual, Schnorf is right. - ShadyBillBrady - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:33 pm: Who said it was a secret conspiracy? I was responding to the comments about Durbin getting a condo in Chicago. And highlighting the fact that Brady both loves and hates Chicago - whichever seems to be better for him at the time. I’m talking duplicity and disingenuity, not logistics. Jeez. - Justin Boland - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:55 pm: “If it wasn’t for the remap, many probably wouldn’t care all that much if Brady was elected because they could simply let him do his thing and take all the blame.” ^^Thanks for the macro-perspective. Chilling how much the party machines care about nothing but power. - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:57 pm: Schnortster…actually George lived at the Palmer House and thought Edgar waited until after winning to “rent” I think NoTaxBill has owned for awhile better to take in the nite life. - Ghost - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 2:57 pm: Wizard - which unamed agency has has the large union anti-quinn grp? The State agency union employees I have come across are overwhelming backing Quinn out of fear of Brady’s approach to the union. - CircularFiringSquad - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 3:04 pm: BTW the HP Lumber on Rte 26 near Dixon is really RP Lumber — owned by Daddy’s Little Deduction & Family so NoTaxBill could make this one a business trip…. From the RP website —- Dixon 2158 State Route 26 Dixon, IL 61021 Telephone: 815-288-3348 Fax: 815-288-7115 Manager:Pat Weitzel Email:pweitzel@rplumber.com Hours Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m Saturday: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday: Closed - (618) Democrat - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 4:33 pm: Shadybillbrady 12:33 You are right sbb when Brady is down south he talks about how awful everything Chicago is and the evil empire of Chicago politics. Chill out Schnorf. Jeez! - steve schnorf - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:35 pm: Both Edgar and Ryan had Chi places while they were running for Gov - ShadyBillBrady - Tuesday, Oct 19, 10 @ 8:39 pm: I don’t recall Edgar and Ryan running on anti-Chicago platforms, but maybe they did. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.