Illinois campaign contributions have already surpassed $80 million this year, according to Illinois Sunshine, a campaign finance reporting site from public interest group Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. June contributions alone accounted for nearly $10 million.
Citizens for Rauner, Inc, which supports the gubernatorial candidacy of Gov. Bruce Rauner, is the political committee with the largest coffers in Illinois. The committee has more than $20 million in the bank, although Rauner isn’t up for reelection until 2018.
Powerful Chicago Ald. Ed Burke's committee has the second-most money in the bank, with over $8 million. Burke isn't up for reelection until 2019.
Some fundraising records have already been smashed this year. More than $6.1 million was spent in the lead-up to the decisive Democratic primary for state Rep. Ken Dunkin’s 5th District House seat on March 15. That total marks the most money spent on a race for the Illinois legislature in the state’s history.
Dunkin, who received donations from Rauner’s political allies after breaking ranks with Democrats and siding with Rauner on key votes, lost to Juliana Stratton, who rode a wave of substantial donations and high-profile endorsements, including President Barack Obama.
With the November general election fast approaching, political donations are expected to continue to spike. There were over $150 million in donations from September to November of 2014, when Rauner was elected.
