Hi Rich,
Here’s this week’s Illinois Sunshine update - we added up all of the funds on hand for both parties, and found that Dems have over $34 Million and the GOP has over $28 Million.
Just one month before the March 15th Illinois Primary, both political parties in Illinois have amassed major war chests to aid their goals of upsetting (or defending) the balance of power in state government. The Democratic side, consisting of Senate, House, Leadership, and Party Committees, currently holds over $34 Million. Illinois Republican funds, consisting of those plus the Governor’s committee, currently have over $28 Million ready to spend. The top three Super PACs in the state, each with an individual balance of over $1 Million, have a total of $16 Million in the bank.
This all amounts to nearly $80 Million in cash on hand between both parties. This is in addition to the $17 Million already spent in the first month and a half of 2016.
Democratic funds come mostly from rank and file committees and the Leadership committees (which have fewer contribution limits than a normal PAC.) The Republican side is financed mostly by the Governor’s candidate committee, which maintained an impressive and steady balance for most of 2015.
Senate, House and Super PACs
The 39 Democratic State Senators have over $10 Million in their committee funds, while the 20 Senate Republicans have $2.8 Million. Of that $2.8 Million, $550,000 comes from Republican Leader Christine Radogno’s PAC. Another $300,000 is from the committee for Sam McCann, who faces a fierce primary race for the 50th District.
In the House, the 71 Democratic members have raised $16.8 Million, while the 47 Republicans have only $4 Million available. Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s committee makes up $820,000 of House Republican funds.
Last but not least, there are three Super PACs that have set themselves apart in this election cycle by raising far more than any others (the fourth most funded, Personal PAC, has $690,707 on hand.) These totals are not included in the parties’ “Total Funds” above, but there are clear links between two of these committees and the Republican Party. The goal of Turnaround Illinois is to support the Governor’s agenda, and it has become the second highest donor to Liberty Principles PAC. The two groups also share donors. The IllinoisGO connection is more tenuous, but many believe it exists to fund Democrats who are willing to support the Governor’s agenda. Their heavy involvement in the Dunkin vs Stratton race has given weight to this theory.
These groups have already made a statement in certain races, and will almost certainly continue to do so until the General Elections in November.
Here’s the link to the entire update: http://conta.cc/24cVDmd. It is also included below.
Best,
Sarah Brune
Executive Director
Illinois Campaign for Political Reform
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 3:58 pm:
To - AA - and - Wordslinger -,
I am so sorry the Firm is “outside, looking in”.
It’s on me. I’m sorry.
Man, $80 million. Whew.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 3:59 pm:
I love those guys, but the headline on the email they sent is totally misleading. It suggests D’s have $6 million more but when you add in the Gov’s Superpacs - which are at the bottom of a long email, it shows a $10 million+ deficit.
Cmon ICPR - show some knowledge of how this game actually works.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 4:04 pm:
===and found that Dems have over $34 Million and the GOP has over $28 Million.===
I agree with Willy that not all Republicans are Raunerites, but for purposes of this comparison, it’s fair to say Liberty Principles, IL Go and the Turnaround SuperPac are in the Republican column.
So as Cynic correctly notes, that lede is about as misleading as it can get. Democrats do not have a fundraising advantage. Not even close.
- kimaye - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 4:06 pm:
dumping buckets of green gasoline on a fire
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 4:15 pm:
- 47th Ward -
I’m glad you see that. It breaks my heart, bud
- Upside Down - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 4:15 pm:
The balance in the state’s general revenue fund today is $45 million.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 4:30 pm:
$80Mill.
Both Madigan and Rauner will obviously give their share generously, without expectations or strings in exchange for their cash and support.
- Cabildero - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 4:31 pm:
Wait a minute. I thought the Gov controlled $34 million.
- PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 4:54 pm:
These numbers are much more pertinent than budget numbers.
- Sarah Brune (ICPR) - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 4:58 pm:
For clarification: the purpose of this research was not to show that one side has a fundraising advantage, but rather to show how much money is in the system and where it’s coming from. Both sides have raised an inordinate amount of money and will continue to do so.
While much of the Super PAC money is tied to Republicans, which I do explain, I felt it was disingenuous to add those funds to the Republican total - they are not declared that way with the SBOE (which is a choice Super PACs can make when registering their committee.) I do include them in the totals in the top paragraph, and they are included in the overall cash on hand.
- Bleh - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 5:21 pm:
How much of this is going to Dunkin?
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 6:26 pm:
It’s ok, Willy. -sobbing-
- zatoichi - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 7:20 pm:
That’s a lot of commercials to ignore, ads that blur into the background, robos to hang up on, and mailers to file in the trash.
- burbanite - Thursday, Feb 18, 16 @ 9:23 pm:
Illinois United for Change, may want to keep an eye on that one too.
- illinois manufacturer - Friday, Feb 19, 16 @ 8:26 am:
The govs friend Ken is having some problems at Citadel and seems more interested in art right now …wonder if that would have an effect on his donations.