The Watchdogs: Illinois’ 50 richest political war chests

金牛银熊

One hundred and four million dollars — that’s how much money sat in the 3,507 campaign funds controlled by state and local politicians and political-action committees at the end of 2010, Illinois State Board of Elections records show.

The richest campaign fund: Rahm Emanuel’s. The Chicago mayoral candidate ended the year with more than $8.3 million available to spend on things like commercials, polling and his campaign staff.

Not far behind at No. 2 on the richest-campaign list was Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th), with three of the 50 richest political funds statewide, together totaling $8.1 million.

Gov. Quinn ended the year with $689,678 in the bank after his November election.

Democrats control 31 of the 50 richest political war chests. Republicans have six,

Some politicians still have plenty of money in their campaign accounts even though they aren’t running for anything — and, in some cases, haven’t for years. Former Gov. Jim Edgar, for instance, left office in January 1999 — but still had $579,369 in his campaign account, state records show. And Mayor Daley — who leaves office in May and hasn’t raised any money since 2007 — had more than $1.2 million in his campaign fund. The rules on how former office-holders can spend any campaign money they still have vary depending on when they held office and when the money came in.

These are the 50 richest state campaign funds and PACs in Illinois (the list doesn’t include federal campaigns or PACS, which are overseen by the Federal Election Commission):

1. Chicago for Rahm Emanuel

Mayoral candidate, Chicago Democrat

$8,337,872


2. Friends of Edward M. Burke

14th Ward alderman and Democratic committeeman

$6,606,966


3. Stand for Children Illinois PAC

Education PAC

$2,876,000


4. Citizens for Lisa Madigan

Attorney general. Chicago Democrat

$2,471,329


5. Gery Chico for Mayor

Mayoral candidate, Chicago Democrat

$2,013,272


6. Illinois State Medical Society PAC

Doctors’ PAC

$1,848,264


7. Illinois Hospital Association PAC

$1,378,800


8. Personal PAC Inc.

Abortion-rights PAC

$1,361,166


9. Richard M. Daley Campaign Committee

Mayor, Chicago Democrat

$1,265,013


10. Friends of Ray Suarez

31st Ward alderman, Democrat

$1,029,207


11. RPAC

Realtors’ PAC

$1,009,617


12. Roofers’ Political Educational, Legislative Fund

PAC

$980,016


13. Ameren Illinois PAC

Energy company PAC

$920,324


14. Citizens for Mike Smith

State representative (D-Pekin)

$885,140


15. Citizens for Alexi Giannoulias

Former state treasurer, Chicago Democrat

$868,877


16. Citizens for Gene Schulter

47th Ward Dem committeeman, retiring alderman

$860,220


17. For a Better Chicago

PAC

$855,000


18. 14th Ward Regular Democratic Org.

Chaired by Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th)

$847,772


19. Citizens for Roger Claar

Bolingbrook mayor, Republican

$778,391



20. Citizens for Lou Lang

State representative (D-Skokie)

$771,477



21. Citizens for Emil Jones

Former Senate president (D-Chicago)

$747,767



22. Taxpayers for Pat Quinn

Governor, Chicago Democrat

$689,678



23. The Burnham Committee

PAC run by Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th)

$672,835



24. James “Pate” Philip Campaign Fund

Former Senate president (R-Wood Dale)

$664,870



25. Citizens for Jesse White

Secretary of state, Chicago Democrat

$647,753



26. Friends of Todd H. Stroger

Former Cook County Board president, Chicago Democrat

$613,220



27. Citizens for Michael F. Sheahan

Former Cook County sheriff, Chicago Democrat

$612,724



28. 13th Ward Democratic Organization

Chaired by House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, also 13th Ward Democratic committeeman

$611,437



29. Friends of James Clayborne

State senator (D-East St. Louis)

$604,462



30. Citizens for Jim Edgar

Former governor, Republican

$579,369



31. River North PAC

Chaired by ex-Ald. Burton Natarus (42nd), Democrat

$566,357



32. Citizens for Judy Baar Topinka

State comptroller, Riverside Republican

$552,856



33. Friends of Michael J. Madigan

Illinois House speaker (D-Chicago)

$544,305



34. Citizens for Brendan Reilly

42nd Ward alderman, Democrat

$519,447



35. Committee to Elect James A. DeLeo

Former state senator (D-Chicago)

$503,734



36. Citizens for Larry Bomke

State senator (R-Springfield)

$487,862



37. Supporters of Jack D. Franks

State representative (D-Woodstock)

$462,609



38. Credit Union Political Action Council

PAC

$461,028



39. Democratic Party of Illinois

Chaired by House Speaker Michael J. Madigan

$431,718



40. Committee to Re-Elect Larry R. Rogers Jr.

Cook County Board of Review member, Chicago Democrat

$412,465



41. Citizens For David Orr

Cook County clerk, Chicago Democrat

$399,475



42. Cable Television & Communication Assn. PAC

$394,449



43. Citizens for John Cullerton

Illinois Senate president (D-Chicago)

$389,834



44. Committee to Elect Jay C. Hoffman

Former state representative (D-Collinsville)

$383,682



45. IPACE (Illinois PAC for Education)

$381,696



46. Bradley A. Stephens Committeeman Fund

Rosemont mayor, Republican

$379,764



47. Illinois Federation of Teachers COPE

Teachers’ union PAC

$376,844



48. Friends of Bill Haine

State senator (D-Alton)

$376,438



49. Chicago Federation of Labor & Industrial Union Council

PAC

$372,179



50. Friends of William J.P. Banks

36th Ward Dem committeeman, former alderman

$369,860