From The State Journal-Register:

State leaders compile cash for campaigns

By DOUG FINKE
STATE CAPITOL BUREAU

Illinois' four legislative leaders are sitting on nearly $7 million in campaign cash to fight for control of the General Assembly this fall.

Surprisingly, Senate Minority Leader Emil Jones, D-Chicago, had the largest cash reserve on hand as of June 30, the deadline for the latest campaign disclosure reports.

Jones - often the least successful fund-raiser among the four leaders - reported slightly more than $3 million on hand in two campaign funds he controls. That compares to $2.8 million for House Republican Leader Lee Daniels of Elmhurst and $2.7 million for Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, had about $1.3 million in cash available in two funds under his control, including the state Democratic Party fund. Madigan is chairman of the party.

With new district boundaries resulting from the latest census, all 177 seats in the General Assembly are up for election this year, although many have no competitive election. Democrats won the right to draw the new district boundaries, and the map favors election of Democrat majorities in both the House and Senate.

If the Democrats manage to take control of the Senate, it will be the first time in a decade that the party has been the majority there.

In the Springfield area, several House and Senate districts are contested.

In the 50th Senate District, incumbent Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, is facing Democrat Don Tracy. Bomke reported $265,089 in campaign cash on hand June 30 after raising slightly less than $80,000 this spring. Among Bomke's biggest contributions was $1,700 from the Illinois Federation of Teachers, $1,200 from Illinois dentists and $1,300 from hotel and motel owners.

Tracy raised $55,800 this spring and had about $33,000 left as of June 30. Tracy collected more than $10,000 from relatives and loaned his campaign another $12,000.

Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, is running in the newly drawn 99th House District against Democrat attorney Don Craven. Poe raised $62,041 this spring and - combined with cash he already had - still had about $77,100 on hand June 30. Poe collected $5,000 from attorney Jim Fletcher, $2,500 from the Illinois Construction Industry committee and $1,000 from the Illinois Education Association.

Craven, meanwhile, raised nearly $34,000 and had about $12,600 left on June 30. He didn't report any money collected from political action committees. His two biggest donations were $1,000 each from Springfield attorneys Tom Londrigan and James Potter.

Republican Rich Brauer of Petersburg upset incumbent Rep. Gwenn Klingler, R-Springfield, in the March primary. He also spent a ton of money doing that.

Brauer reported raising $109,000 in the first six months of this year and spent nearly $112,000. He started the year with $4,700 in his fund, but ended June with less than $2,000. Brauer's biggest contributions came in the form of a $4,000 donation from the Menard County Republican Party and a $25,000 loan from himself.

For the 100th House District seat, Brauer will face former Sangamon County Circuit Clerk Carl Oblinger, who was a Republican until he decided to run for the House as a Democrat. Because of his late entry into the race, Oblinger was not required to file a campaign disclosure report. Oblinger has raised money, but declined to say how much.

"I'd rather not say at this point," Oblinger said. "I'd like to keep it to myself for a while."

Oblinger said he will report contributions before the election. All candidates are required to file disclosure reports 30 days before the Nov. 5 election.

Doug Finke can be reached at 788-1527 or doug.finke@sj-r.com.