Jan. 19--Heading into a crucial election year of House and Senate races, the Democrats who lead the Illinois General Assembly have assembled a combined $13.25 million war chest to begin 2016, state campaign finance records show.
Longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan had $8.5 million to start the year in the four campaign funds he controls, records showed, and Senate President John Cullerton had $4.75 million in the three funds he operates.
That compares with $1.2 million in campaign funds controlled by House GOP leader Jim Durkin and $1 million in campaign funds authorized by Senate GOP leader Christine Radogno, according to reports filed with the State Board of Elections.
Durkin and Radogno are counting on help in the fall general elections from Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. The wealthy first-term governor began the year with $19.55 million in his personal campaign fund and another $2.6 million in his allied Turnaround Illinois political action committee.
On Tuesday, campaign finance paperwork was filed showing that Turnaround Illinois donated more than $1.8 million to the conservative Liberty Principles PAC, a group headed by former governor candidate and radio talk show host Dan Proft.
In addition to Rauner's funds, another group, Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity, backed by Democrats who support much of Rauner's pro-business, union-weakening agenda, had more than $9 million in two funds it controls, reports showed.
All 118 House and 40 of 59 state Senate seats are up for election this year, and Democrats control super majorities in each chamber, something Rauner has vowed to erode during his tenure.
Rauner's campaign also listed among its top expenditures a $27,458 fine paid to the State Board of Elections. Election officials said his campaign filed a report listing $574,000 in contributions one day late.
In the primary race for Cook County state's attorney, records showed two-term incumbent Anita Alvarez with $697,000 to start the year -- more than double what her challengers had.
Kim Foxx, recently endorsed by Cook County Democratic slate makers, began the year with $367,000 and Donna More had $216,000. More lifted campaign contribution limits in the contest by lending her campaign $250,000.
In the primary contest for circuit court clerk, Dorothy Brown, whose office is under federal investigation, reported only $19,857 in her re-election campaign fund to start the year.
Attorney Jacob Meister, who lifted donation limits by lending his bid more than $300,000, reported more than $295,000 to start 2016, and 8th Ward Ald. Michelle Harris, the Democratic-endorsed candidate, had more than $129,000 in two funds she controls.
