Altria (formerly Philip Morris Companies, Inc.)

Altria, formerly Philip Morris Companies, Inc., is a publicly traded company based in North Carolina. Morris' subsidiaries include Philip Morris USA (tobacco), Philip Morris International (tobacco), Miller Brewing (beer), and Kraft Foods, which is headquartered in Glenview. Altria's political interests range from run of the mill to more specific concerns over tobacco regulation and taxation. Throughout the 1990s, Philip Morris was the leading opponent of anti-smoking legislation and cigarette tax increases in Illinois.

In 2003 a class action lawsuit against Philip Morris for misleading customers by implying their “light” cigarettes were healthier than “regular” cigarettes, a jury returned a verdict of $10 billion dollars against the tobacco company. In order to appeal the judgment, Philip Morris was ordered to post a 12 billion dollars bond. Despite arguments that a bond that large would bankrupt the company, Madison Country Circuit Court Judge Nicholas Byron upheld the decision.

Phillip Morris is a Career Patron of Democratic Party Chair, Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson, and Senate President Emil Jones (D). They have been career patrons of former Governor George Ryan, former House Republican Leader Lee Daniels and former Senate President James ‘Pate’ Phillips.

From January 1, 1993 through June 30, 2005, the Philip Morris components of Altria. contributed $2.034 million to candidates for Illinois statewide constitutional and legislative office, 59% of which was contributed to Republicans.

Last revised June 30, 2005.