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Some local heavy-hitters are also part of a very small club of national campaign donors

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Illinois

As the cost of federal elections rises almost every year, just 12 megadonors from both sides of the aisle — at least eight of whom are billionaires — made up a combined $3.4 billion in contributions to federal candidates and political groups in the past decade, a new report shows.

This means that the top dozen donors — six of whom largely supported Democrats and six of whom generally supported Republicans — accounted for 7.5% of the $45 billion donated to federal political causes between January 2009 and December 2020, according to the analysis by Washington-based good-government group Issue One, based on campaign finance data compiled by the nonpartisan research group Center for Responsive Politics. […]

Other Republican megadonors were shipping industry executive Richard Uihlein, hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, Pan Am Systems Chairman Timothy Mellon, former TD Ameritrade CEO and Chicago Cubs co-owner Joe Ricketts, and hedge fund manager Paul Singer, the report said.

The lede’s $3.4 billion figure is kinda misleading because Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer spent a combined $1.3 billion on their own federal campaigns.

But, according to the group, Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein contributed $138 million, Ken Griffin gave $107 million and Joe and Marlene Ricketts kicked in $66 million. Democrat Fred Eychaner gave $92 million.

* I did a quick search of the Illinois State Board of Elections website to see how much those folks contributed to Illinois committees since January of 2009…

Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein: $30.3 million (the Uline company gave another $234K)

Ken Griffin: $121.47 million

Ricketts family: $1 million

Fred Eychaner: $8.6 million

Griffin gave more to state and local candidates than federal.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:01 am

Comments

Some of these amounts are staggering particularly when you consider the abysmal returns.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:08 am
All made their fortunes in Illinois. Must be a good place for business and entrepreneurs.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:18 am
“Some of these amounts are staggering particularly when you consider the abysmal returns.”

Depending on your issues, e.g. tax cuts, you’ve only gotta win once to make it all back and more.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:20 am
If and when (more “if” than “when” if we’re being honest to the candidates today) Griffin bankrolls a gubernatorial candidate to take on Pritzker, the current Raunerite/Trumpkins will be scrounging for cash trickling from top to bottom.

The Uihleins? They are an odd sort, ideologues, sure, but they are for more Trumpkin now (that Trumpkin is a thing) than any semblance of traditional Republican.

The Ricketts have ruined the Cubs mystique of being a team you loved, embraced, and felt a connection. The Cubs now are a corporate entity that preys upon nostalgia while tearing down all that nostalgia was built upon (Marquee Channel for openers)

My point in all these, Griffin bankrolling(?), Uihliens finding a home in the Trumpkin thinkings… even the Ricketts, with a governor already in the family so far right and Trumpkin he may be out of touch with “mainstream Trumpkins”…

… the traditional Republican monies and building coalitions with fundraising and building upon a bigger tent of folks willing to write a check and show across the board support… it’s fading if not over. Here in Illinois, unless Griffin decides (one man, one checkbook) on a candidate he’s willing to go NINE figures deep to take on a sitting billionaire governor, the reality of the party bereft of cash in all facets (House, Senate, State party, County parties) might not need to worry about any maps… they can’t recruit, fundraise, or message… and can’t get majority of voters to go their way as the result.

And here I would like a golf outing or three to attend…

… the thing is, why would I, or anyone, who is angered, frustrated, and saddened with the Eastern Bloc, Trumpkins, or far right “nationalists”… be willing to write any check when the Uihleins, Ricketts, even the “Griffins” bankroll their candidate anyway?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:33 am
I’ve never voluntarily given money to a political candiate. Let them court the rich folks.

Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:38 am
Peanuts in Illinois compared to the money power of Planned Parenthood, the IEA, LiUNA, trial lawyers, etc.

Comment by Mary Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:41 am
- The Ricketts have ruined the Cubs mystique

Yes they have and beyond repair. This lifetime fan has not attended a game since game 5 of the WS at wrigley field. And even that was just to close the loop on a lifetime of fandom.

On a funny side note, the younger rickets was inside the park that night walking around handing out baseballs. As he walked by us all I could think was “why is Ted Cruz at a cubs game”. In those days, the resemblance was pretty strong.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:44 am
=== compared to===

So we’re “whatabout-ing” so the likes of…

Griffin, Uihlein, and Ricketts are normalized?

LOL

The thing about organized labor, (teachers, trades… ) they’d back Republicans. Rauner eradicated the pro-labor Republicans for the purity of Raunerism.

How’s that going?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:45 am
Abysmal returns? Huh? Griffin’s money stopped the billionaire Guvs signature issue. That being said– Uline/Proft etc have wasted more money than any political group in US history. They have never flipped a seat.

Comment by Numbers matter Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:49 am
“Peanuts in Illinois compared to the money power of Planned Parenthood, the IEA, LiUNA, trial lawyers, etc.”
Care to provide any actual dollar amounts with that? $160 million is a heckuva lot of peanuts.

Comment by OldSmoky2 Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:51 am
The Leader says “Jump” and these guys shout, “Ja wohl!”

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:52 am
I hope Ken continues to wait until Pritzker tries to do something unpopular - Progressive income tax - and then uses his warchest to crush it. That helps regular people like me way more than throwing cash at candidates that have little chance at winning a senate seat.

Comment by PekinKid Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 10:54 am
==the thing is, why would I, or anyone, who is angered, frustrated, and saddened with the Eastern Bloc, Trumpkins, or far right “nationalists”==

Sadly, there is much irony with you feeling this way when you consistently and correctly point out that it is the Eastern Bloc and Trumpkins who are so angry, frustrated and saddened.

Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 11:07 am
Looks to me like just a bunch of folks simply engaging in political speech.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 11:10 am
===…you consistently and correctly point out that it is the Eastern Bloc and Trumpkins who are so angry, frustrated and saddened.===

Misery loves company?

Good point, btw.

My angst is about the lack of a wavy to grow a party or the apparatus.

Their angst is predicated on the idea of “monolithic purity” and shrinking a party with litmus tests and anger.

Indeed, irony everywhere.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 11:21 am
=== Looks to me like just a bunch of folks simply engaging in political speech.===

Are you now angered by businesses like Coke, Boeing… getting vocal and involved in Georgia too?

The idea of money as fee speech, my position has always been the same, no caps, unlimited monies, but every dime (literally start at 10 cents) must be accounted, no dark money, no hiding the real sources…

That said, the irony there of those complaining about corporate speech against legislators or legislation is silly considering this love of big donors having a big say, no matter if it burns down a state party (like here in Illinois)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 11:27 am
=Peanuts in Illinois compared to the money power of Planned Parenthood=

In the 2020 cycle the Planned Parenthood PAC contributed $746K to federal candidates. Of that amount $5K went to Joe Biden.

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 11:31 am
==The thing about organized labor, (teachers, trades… ) they’d back Republicans==

They backed Dillard.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 12:52 pm
=== They backed Dillard.===

… some far-far too late.

“Thanks, Dan Rutherford”

But… I digress.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 12:54 pm
==In the 2020 cycle the Planned Parenthood PAC contributed $746K to federal candidates.==

Super PAC Planned Parenthood Votes is where the real money is raised and most of their money spent is on independent expenditures on behalf of candidates rather than direct contributions to said candidates.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 1:20 pm
Hmm. They need to pay the big bucks and lure Bradley Tusk back from NYC. He’s currently crushing it again with Yang for Mayor.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 2:07 pm
With all the millions of dollars coming from these mega donors . . . no wonder my voice is not heard. The politicians can’t hear us, only them.

Comment by It's Just Me . . . Wednesday, Apr 21, 21 @ 4:58 pm