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* Click here for the A-1 detailing the contribution from the state’s wealthiest political contributor.

Citizens for Judicial Fairness, the main committee attempting to prevent Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride from being retained, has now reported raising a total of $2.558 million.

Justice Kilbride’s retention committee has reported raising $2.3 million.

…Adding… Press release…

Rich -

Below is a statement from Jim Nowlan on the recent contribution to Citizens for Judicial Fairness:

“Our grassroots movement to end the Madigan-Kilbride alliance on the Illinois Supreme Court is now close to leveling the playing field with the trial lawyers and liberal special interests funding Kilbride’s campaign and can effectively inform voters about Tom Kilbride’s pro-Madigan, anti-taxpayer record as a Supreme Court Justice.” - Jim Nowlan, Chairman, Citizens for Judicial Fairness

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

Over the weekend, Citizens for Judicial Fairness, a coalition of advocates calling for the non-retention of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride, launched their first ad airing across the 3rd Supreme Court District of Illinois. Additionally, the coalition launched a new website highlighting Kilbride’s ties to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan: MadiganKilbride.com

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary and Congressman Ray LaHood, Professor and Newspaper Publisher Jim Nowlan, and former Knox County judge Harry Bulkeley, all leaders in the coalition, released the following statements on the effort to prevent Kilbride’s retention.

Secretary LaHood said, “After more than 20 years, Justice Tom Kilbride has displayed plainly that he is ‘Madigan’s Favorite Judge.’ He was the deciding vote and wrote the majority opinion killing Fair Maps, which would have taken the power away from Mike Madigan and career politicians to draw legislative districts. That decision and others came after Kilbride’s campaign received millions of dollars directly from Madigan’s Machine to remain on the Court. Kilbride has voted for Madigan time and again. It’s time to vote him out.”

Jim Nowlan added, “Make no mistake about it, Mike Madigan is on the ballot in November. By voting No on Tom Kilbride’s retention, you can vote against Madigan and against the culture of corruption that has plagued our state for decades. After taking nearly $4 million from Madigan and his allies in his last two campaigns, Kilbride knows who he owes his seat to and has judged accordingly.”

Former Knox county judge Harry Bulkeley closed, “The Chicago Machine and Mike Madigan have played puppeteer in this state for decades, but now voters have the opportunity to cut some of those strings. In my 24 years on the bench, like all judges in Illinois I was governed by the Code of Judicial Conduct. That code require judges to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Madigan’s money gives the unmistakable appearance of impropriety. Most people in the state cannot vote against Madigan but in November, voting no on Kilbride is saying no to Mike Madigan.”

The spot…