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2011 Political fundraising nearly $6.4M

January 27, 2012
By Patrick Boylan

Campaign finance reports released on area pols

An analysis of filings by local politicians with the Illinois Board of Elections and the Federal Election Commission indicates that three politicians: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton were responsible for raising more than two thirds of all the monies reported in 2011.

In total, examining campaigns of 28 local politicians, The Bulldog learned that area politicians raised about $6.4 million in 2011, and spent about $12.684 million.

About $7.277 million, net, remains in area campaign coffers.

The mayoral campaign saw Emanuel raise $2,667,570. The itemized average individual donation, according to the Ilinois State Board of Elections was $1,330 in the first quarter. The second quarter saw fewer, but larger donations.

Emanuel’s campaign war chest reported $1,238,209 at year end.

Madigan, who does not have to run again until 2014, raised $897,121, with the average of the itemized transfer in and individual contribution being $960.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton raised $733,049 in 2011 for his Citizens for John Cullerton committee alone. That committee had an average itemized average of transfer in and individual contribution of $2,504.

Just $17,350, or about 2.3 percent, of Cullerton’s funds were raised from addresses in Chicago, the state reports.

Former Alderman and 47th Ward Democratic Boss Eugene Schulter raised just $1,125 in 2011, but has a war chest of $799,729.

US Congressman Mike Quigley does not report to the State of Illinois. His most recent Federal Election Commission filing reports he raised $235,339 in the first nine months of 2011. That comes out to an annualized rate of $313,785. He reported $465,413 on hand at September 30.

Ald. Patrick O’Connor raised $298,890 in 2011, despite not being opposed in either the aldermanic or committeeman race.

O’Connor, raised 24.33 percent of his funds from outside the city. He also accepted a $250 contribution from the St. Hilary Mothers Club and $400 from the Islamic Center of Chicago.

Republican David Ratowitz, who ran against Quigley for Congress and is currently running unopposed for 47th Ward Republican Ward Boss reported his committee owes him $30,086. Ald. James Cappleman also reported his committee was in debt for $49,850.

Cappleman ran one of the most expensive races, spending $215,221 and raising just $213,991 in 2011.

Molly Phelan, who ran head to head against Cappleman in the run-off election, spent $213,438 in 2011.

None of Cappleman’s opponents maintains a war chest in excess of $1,000.

The Uptown fight cost a total of $701,931 in 2011.

Ameya Pawar, who spent $50,141 in 2011 to win the 47th Ward, faces a campaign chest of $17,604 maintained by his election foe, Tom O’Donnell. Tensions in the 47th Ward have remained high since the election.

O’Donnell lost, despite spending $120,976. O’Donnell’s war chest is second only to his mentor, Schulter’s, in size for a person who is not in a political office.

For example, Dan Hynes, former Illinois Comptroller and a 2010 candidate for Illinois Governor, has closed his political fund.

Several candidates did not submit campaign reports:

  • Caitlin McIntyre- 46th Ward Aldermanic Candidate
  • Tom Jacks- 47th Ward Aldermanic Candidate
  • Matt Reichel- 47the Ward Aldermanic Candidate
  • Kelly Cassidy- Democratic Illinois Representative District 14
  • Paula Basta- Democratic Illinois Representative District 14
  • Heather Steans- Illinois Senate District 7
In the chart below, The Bulldog has used a logarithmic chart to scale fundraising among some area politicians. The graph is arranged by the size of war chest, a measure many politicians use of raw power. On this chart it can be seen that Schulter’s campaign chest is larger than Cullerton’s.
A few points about political fundraising in this graph, Ald. Thomas Tunney transferred significant funds between his political fund and the ward fund. This caused some double counting for Tunney. Also, in the 47th Ward the city contributed to the build out of a new ward office. Those monies were counted as contributions by the Pawar accountant. Source: Federal Election Commission and the Illinois Board of Elections.
However, two other measures of political power are often used to measure political weight. In the chart below we’ve ordered the politicians by fund raising in 2011. Now Schulter, who did not run nor raise significant monies in 2011, is slipping to the right.

 

Go to The Bulldog page for US Congressman Mike Quigley

See the Federal Election Commission report for Mike Quigley

 

 

See the top contributors to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan

See the Illinois Board of Elections report for Lisa Madigan

 

See the top contributors to Illinois Senate President John Cullerton

See the Illinois Board of Elections report for John Cullerton

 

See the top contributors to Illinois Representative Ann Williams

See the Illinois Board of Elections report for Ann Williams

 

See the top contributors to Illinois Representative Greg Harris

See the Illinois Board of Elections report for Greg Harris

 

See the top contributors to Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey

See the Illinois Board of Elections report for John Fritchey

This weekend The Bulldog examines the financing of city officials.

Related posts:

  1. Ravenswood candidate fund-raising filing
  2. O’Connor, Mell unopposed. Halpin will challenge Rahm
  3. Three vie for 47th Dem committeeman spot; Races in 32nd Ward Dem and 3 GOP positions
  4. 2010 Election Analysis

Tags: 11th Illinois Representative District, 12th Cook County Board District, 13th Illinois Representative District, 32nd Ward, 33rd Ward, 44th Ward, 46th Ward, 47th Ward, 6th Illinois Senate District, 7th Illinois Senate District, Ameya Pawar, Ann Williams, Attorney General, Caitlin McIntyre, Chicago, City Council, Cook County, Dan Hynes, David Ratowitz, election disclosure, election financing, election fundraising, Eugene Schulter, Federal Elections Commission, Greg Harris, Heather Steans, Illinois, Illinois Board of Elections, Illinois Fifth Congressional District, James Cappleman, John Cullerton, John Fritchey, Kelly Cassidy, Lisa Madigan, Matt Reichel, mayor, Mike Quigley, Molly Phelan, Pat O'Connor, Paula Basta, political disclosure, political financing, political fundraising, Rahm Emanuel, Richard Mell, Scott Waguespack, Thomas Tunney, Tom Jacks, Tom O'Donnell

This entry was posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:30 am and is filed under Local Politics, Neighborhood News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

One Response to 2011 Political fundraising nearly $6.4M

  1. on February 5, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    She obvoiusly needs his support on the County Board. That endorsement probably will not have that much of an impact since the people of the 32nd Ward support and appreciate the dedication of Mr. Waguespack. As long as they are running in the current 32nd Ward boundaries, I believe Scott will easily defeat the other has been, wanna be in March. If it is in new boundaries, I think Scott will still hand the other (self proclaimed power broker) mans behind to him in a hand basket.

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