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Today’s number: $127 million

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Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois Springfield, compared the top 10 donors, or donor families, to Illinois state and local campaign committees in three four-year cycles.

He found that the total of those top donors in 2005-08 was $19.2 million, with 2006 Republican primary candidate for governor Ron Gidwitz and his family topping the list at $6.75 million.

From 2009 to 2012, the total of the top 10 donors was about $13.6 million, with the top three people on the list giving less than $2.5 million each.

But in the ongoing period beginning in 2013, the total already tops $127 million — with more than $60 million from Gov. Bruce and Diana Rauner; more than $25 million from Kenneth Griffin and his former wife, Anne Dias; and more than $12 million from Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, leaders of packaging materials company Uline.

The Rauner total also includes about $27 million the governor spent on his own winning 2014 gubernatorial race, which had a price tag of $65 million, including money from other donors.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:06 am

Comments

Diana Rauner, whose name was attached by her, not by me, the Democrat, has been a complicit donater of $60 million dollars to the Raunerite GOP.

Diana Rauner, who with seven figure ads told a whole STATE… “Bruce has no social agenda” and yet… has her name attached to $60 million and a plan outlined in 2012 driving a wedge in the, wait for it, the Democratic Party, by hurting Social Services to destroy labor.

For Diana Rauner, the “business decision”, the $60 million, speaks for itself… and the $5 million to The Ounce… while other are hurt by Bruce’s own business decisions… makes going to The Ounce easier in the conscious?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:15 am
Forget governor — if I could spend Rauner-money on an ego-tripping retirement hobby, I’d build an island fortress in the Gulf of Thailand and declare myself Pirate King.

The weather is way better.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:17 am
think about how much more money they’d have to spend if it weren’t for those union workers and their darn workers’ compensation costs

nice watch though and that ugly shirt really drives ‘em nuts and the van and the carhartt and the…

Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:28 am
From earlier this year-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-bruce-rauner-cps-teachers-met-0722-20160721-story.html

Rauner also has publicly lamented how little his donations have done to improve education.

“My wife and I have spent more than $20 million trying to donate to teacher training, principal development, charter schools,” he told an education conference in 2012. “And I would say probably 80 percent of the dollars we donated have been wasted. Lost. No result.”

****
Really have to wonder if the Rauners’ attempt at buying politics may end up with the same result.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:34 am
So right OW and it perfectly illustrates The Great Perfidy

The acquisition of a whole political party by three wealthy families on behalf of the filthy rich for the sole benefit of the filthy rich.

Republicans. You are victims of The Great Perfidy too. You are being used and manipulated. You met Rauner at the crossroads at Midnight.

Over a million have lost the help they need.

Thousands have lost jobs

The Great Perfidy is not over

It’s going to get worse, I believe

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:38 am
Another good reason to have public funding of political campaigns.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:38 am
Rauner has nw spent 12% of his net worth…based on his assent to a question from I think Natasha Koreki when he ran two years ago. Griffen manages 26 billion. Forbes puts his net worth now at 7.5 billion for him its .3% its like spending 25 bucks out of a 7500 bank account. He spent 500 million on a Pollack and a deKoenig last summer. I wonder if he values his political collection as much. In total wealth the Pritzgers are tops at 30 billion in Illinois but that is under more diffuse control and they seem more interested in collecting more companies

Comment by illinois manufacturer Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:39 am
I’m a democrat. I wonder how we’d react if we had our own billionaire version of Rauner.

I hope one never arrives. This warps, distorts and poisons our democracy. It’s vulgar.

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:41 am
Yeah and the Illinois Dems get funded at those level and more by Union donations.

Comment by Lech W Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:46 am
A very sad commentary on our current political landscape.

Comment by Flynn's mom Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:48 am
=Yeah and the Illinois Dems get funded at those level and more by Union donations.=

And…? Please have a point to your incomplete sentence.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 9:59 am
Professor Redfield has nicely documented the fantastic increased rental return for the Illinois Republican party. A grand oligarchical party!

Comment by AJ_yooper Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:03 am
–Yeah and the Illinois Dems get funded at those level and more by Union donations.–

That’s quite a scoop, LW

Want to give us the breakdown on the unions that contributed $127 million “and more” to Illinois Dem candidates since 2013?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:05 am
There have been a number of studies that have shown that the huge amount of money being spent on elections by the ultra rich generally is a wasted effort.

I can only hope that what has happened in this election cycle will be a wasted effort by 1.4% and his ilk.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:06 am
Democrats no longer have the money advantage. It’s going to be interesting.

Comment by Liandro Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:11 am
The point is this - Rich illustrates that the Republican’s have access to funding, it often comes from voluntary donations from very wealthy individuals. I offered the idea that the Dem’s have access to funding as well, they just happen to be funded by coerced union due’s. Feel free to draw your own conclusion.

Comment by Lech W Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:13 am
Governor Rauner has spent 60 million of his fortune to try to restore some balance to Illinois politics after 12 years of one party rule in Springfield. If I believed the ads, all of this spending was to reduce his own taxes.

He has also spent millions to try to improve public education in Chicago.

I think the spending on this election is closer to 50/50 as opposed to almost all democrat in previous years

Where is the outrage about all of this spending by the democrats this year and in in years past?

Democrats are clearly all in for the unions and the trial lawyers but what are they proposing to help everybody else?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:17 am
Dwight D. Eisenhower, April 16, 1953:

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.

This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children … This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense.”

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:18 am
As another example of how ridiculous the campaign has become, campaign expenditures in rural, west central Illinois near Macomb and WIU are approaching $1,000,000. The Republican candidate has outspent her democratic rival at about a 3:1 pace.

What is interesting, and kinda makes my brain hurt, is that the Republican has touted her support for WIU and higher education. However, in a TV ad, she paradoxically, and in a pejorative tone, accuses her Democratic rival, who teaches at WIU, of being “radical” and even worse (the horror), a “PROFESSOR”!! Apparently the worst thing you can have in a college town is a professor.

Really, the pain just makes my head throb. I am looking forward to Wednesday morning, regardless of the outcome.

Comment by Brain Freeze Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:21 am
I always say, we have the best politicians/government that money can buy.

Comment by up2now Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:27 am
Not an awful lot of money to buy one of the two political parties in a state as large as Illinois.

Redfield is noting a hostile take over of a political party that couldn’t beat Blagojevich.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:30 am
===He has also spent millions to try to improve public education in Chicago===

… and yet is willing to close Eastern and Chicago State…

Rauner doesn’t want to fund higher education.

Oh, by the way, Rauner clouted his denied daughter over a worthy child, that’s also true.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:34 am
OW do you even read what you write? Chicago State enrollment has been in decline for years and you blame Rauner? Are taxpayers just supposed to funnel money into failing institutions forever or should we demand the school merge with a healthier institution?

The same can be said for Eastern Illinois to a lesser extent. You blaming Rauner 100% for the problems at these institutions is not unexpected but reveal you as someone who is great at fixing blame not fixing problems.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:41 am
When they close, Rauner will own the closing of state universities.

That will go over incredibly well with downstate communities too.

When was that last governor NOT to fund higher education since 1858?

Bruce Rauner and who…

UIUC is underfunded $750 million… all due to Rauner’s veto.

Can’t explain away a veto

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:47 am
The data is a few years old, but there is little reason to think things have changed since 2012.

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/democrats-receive-overwhelming-majority-of-illinois-government-union-donations/

Comment by Lech W Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:48 am
Lucky P,

CSU and EIU made some of their own problems, sure. But they weren’t the only targets.

Rauner cut more than $1,000,000,000 from all the state schools in two years. U of I was slashed by more than $750,000,000.

Rauner owns that. He did that. He’s no champion for education.

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:48 am
====Are taxpayers just supposed to funnel money into failing institutions forever or should we demand the school merge with a healthier institution?===

Then Gov. Rauner should have “ck” write the following Press Release…

GOV RAUNER CLOSES EIU AND CSU FOR TAXPAYERS

Why won’t “ck” be allowed to write that release?

Why?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 10:49 am
== You blaming Rauner 100%==

We need someone to counter your consistent arguments that no blame should be placed on the Governor.

==Where is the outrage about all of this spending by the democrats this year and in in years past?==

I think the point is that all of this money is coming from just a few individuals, including a significant amount from the Governor himself. That’s fine. It’s his money.

==Democrats are clearly all in for the unions and the trial lawyers but what are they proposing to help everybody else?==

And the Governor is all in for business and is out to destroy unions. What’s your point? Each has a constituency.

==they just happen to be funded by coerced union due’s.==

There’s that nonsense argument again. Nobody is coerced to pay union dues. As far as I know we aren’t forced to take jobs.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:00 am
-OW-
16 ounces in a pound. So $5Mil to Ounce would mean $80Mil to the “cure” (X16). $60Mil dropped so far, estimating $20Mil more on the way.

Comment by Biker Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:01 am
The state now spends over 50 percent of the higher education budget on pensions. He seems to be the only leader in Springfield to think that this is a problem.

Shouldn’t taxpayers demand the leaders work on this problem together instead of just blaming the Governor for all that ails these institutions?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:02 am
==reveal you as someone who is great at fixing blame not fixing problems.==

Says the pot.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:02 am
LP, you seem to be saying that these cuts to higher ed are a deliberate part of an administration restructuring plan.

Want to fill the rest of us “taxpayers” in on it?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:03 am
- Biker -

Sadly, the Rauners will probably spend upwards to $100 million, and that’s personally by November 2018

… so Bruce can get his pound of flesh, and Diana will continue to ensure her social service is inoculated from what Diana feels is a business decision all are making(?)

Warped.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:08 am
Reducing the influence of unions and trial lawyers in Illinois will “destroy” neither. Enough with the hyperbole Demoralized, Rauner just wants to restore some balance to our system that is far too tilted towards democrat contributors.

Trial lawyers certainly aren’t helping businesses expand here which would raise wages for middle class families and reduce our spending for social services.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:15 am
@Handle Bar Mustache 10:48===Lucky P,

CSU and EIU made some of their own problems, sure. But they weren’t the only targets.

Rauner cut more than $1,000,000,000 from all the state schools in two years. U of I was slashed by more than $750,000,000.

Rauner owns that. He did that. He’s no champion for education.===

Rauner has also done serious damage to the
community colleges.

Comment by DuPage Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:17 am
Bernie makes a passin’ reference to Mr. ReBoot and a speech at the Economic Club of Chicago in ‘13. He recounts his famous puttin’ a sat dish on his dorm roof to get real time quotes and lot of blah blah, and challenges all the 1%ers to do something about IL and Chicago problems. but fails to offer a single specific. He does admit he did not see the ‘08 collapse comin’, there should be no “too big to fail” and carried interest is just great. Eye opener on how shallow he is

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:21 am
Unions and lawyers are taxpayers too. They represent hundreds, if not thousands.

Rauners, Uihlein, and Griffin are three families. They represent a Raunerite agenda… for 3 families.

What else ya got?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:36 am
OW , I think more than 3 families in Illinois would benefit from fair maps, term limits, workers comp, property tax reform, pension reform as well as more balance between the two parties.

We have seen how the fair maps proposal that enjoyed bipartisan support and should have been on the ballot tomorrow was torpedoed by wealthy allies of Speaker Madigan.

You stick with that 3 families routine though, I am sure you are fooling the same people who think Rauner is spending 60 million dollars to lower his own taxes.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:55 am
Lech W. Interesting fact. The political contributions by LAW cannot come from dues. The political contributions come from separate political funds which are individual contribtions. I don’t know about other unions but with AFSCME that comes from AFSCME PEOPLE. Illinois AFSCMEs are one of the largest contributors to the People fund. I believe over 80% of our Illinois members give money to the fund. So no the funds from dues do not go to political causes. This makes the money’s from unions even more impressive since it is not coming from three families but 10’s of thousands of individual contributors. I believe it’s the Taft Hartley law that prohibits dues from going to politics. Just FYI

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 11:55 am
I am not bothered by the small size of the group or by the large size of their wealth. William Penn used wealth and connections to further a vision. I just don’t see the vision

Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:03 pm
===families routine though, I am sure you are fooling the same people who think Rauner is spending 60 million dollars to lower his own taxes.===

It’s about lowering union wages and ending collective bargaining. See: Property Tax Relief, lol

Pension reform has yet to find a constituional avenue, but you already know that.

As for Fair Maps, I’m for that, you always seem to forget that. Why?

We have term limits, one is tomorrow. Keep up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:09 pm
Honeybear - the unions have been trying to say that for years - it is a classic shell game. Illinois Unions can give to PAC’s or create their own - with little or no restrictions - including which “fund” the money comes from.

Comment by Lech W Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:13 pm
===…including which “fund” the money comes from.===

Example? Be specific.

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:21 pm
What does the Citizens United decision mean for labor unions?

Prior to Citizens United, the funds that unions collected from union dues could not go to political spending that expressly advocated for the election or defeat of a candidate. That funding could, however, still go to other “political activities.” These include informational and educational materials that are distributed to members.

Under Citizens United, unions can take member dues and spend the money on materials in support or in opposition to a candidate for office. This is problematic because union members are not asked for permission before this money is spent, and it is often difficult to ask for a refund…

https://www.unionfacts.com/article/political-money/what-citizens-united-means-for-union-political-spending/

Comment by Lech W Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:24 pm
@ Lech W. The irony. You can’t really put up a link paid for by a Citizens United funded organization and expect us to believe in its truthiness, can you?

Comment by Brain Freeze Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:33 pm
- lech w -

No one is forced to be in a union.

It’s voluntary.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:35 pm
==Enough with the hyperbole Demoralized,==

That’s funny coming from you.

==Reducing the influence of unions ==

He wants to do more than reduce the influence. He wants to handcuff their ability to collectively bargain for anything of significance. He wants to eliminate the right to collectively bargain wages, benefits, and a whole host of other things.

==that is far too tilted towards democrat contributors==

Forever the victim. And it’s Democratic, not democrat.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:37 pm
==No one is forced to be in a union.==

This.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:38 pm
Lech W ALL the money we give to candidates comes from AFSCME People. We keep it totally separate complying with the law. Why even raise questions on it. That’s why we do it that way. Just like 3 families fund 90 percent of all the republican spending this election in Illinois. Only 10% came from small donors. If you think there is no difference. I can’t help you. But maybe Rauner, Uhlein or Griffin can.

You want to keep playing this game?

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:41 pm
https://www.illinoissunshine.org/committees/afscme-illinois-council-31-pac-530/

Comment by Lech W Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 12:45 pm
@ Lech. What is your point. The weblink you show affirms that union members gave money. But as is mentioned above, it is 100% voluntary and not part of union dues. Are you saying individual voters should not be able to donate voluntarily to the organizations of their choice? That is very undemocratic.

Comment by Brain Freeze Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:06 pm
Which explains my full recycling bin….That is insane.

Comment by burbanite Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:07 pm
Look it’s not membership dues. That was added by the website. We have two cards that are filled out. Any state worker can confirm this. We have a green membership card which sets up payroll deduction for member dues. Then we have a yellow card for AFSCME people which also comes out via payroll deduction. Two separate cards. Two separate transactions. Two separate functions. We follow the law. But tell me this. Why are Raunerites so afraid of labor money since Rauner will outspend us many fold?

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:19 pm
“I think more than 3 families in Illinois would benefit from fair maps…” Ok then where are all the campaign donations from all those people? If there’s such a benefit to all these people, then those 3 families wouldn’t need to put in 10’s of millions each.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 1:41 pm
==they just happen to be funded by coerced union due’s.==

“Fair share” is the normal union dues MINUS amounts used for things like lobbying and campaign contributions that are not actually representing the worker. No coercion involved.

Comment by Whatever Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 2:27 pm
@Lech W- It is sooo important for those poor misunderstood billionaires and mega millionaires to spend money on elections. I mean really, how else will their voices be heard?

Average every day people? Middle class workers?

Well..they already get their way far too often. Just look at those crazy $45,000 pensions.

Why, with that kind of money in retirement they will only have to work 30 hours a week at Walmart. /s

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Nov 7, 16 @ 3:27 pm