State legislative races are getting a big cash infusion from Illinois Republicans this year due largely to political contributions from wealthy Gov. Bruce Rauner.
In local races this year, Illinois Republicans are spending far more than Democrats. With financial support from first-term Gov. Rauner, Illinois Republicans are attempting to use this election cycle to reduce the legislative supermajorities held by Democrats in both chambers.
The 2016 election cycle comes as Rauner and Democrats, namely House Speaker Michael Madigan, remain at odds over the governor's proposed "turnaround agenda," which contains various pro-business, anti-union policy proposals.
The Illinois Republican Party Committee has thus far given over $13 million to candidates running for the Illinois House and Senate, according to a review by the Associated Press. Most of that $13 million came from Rauner.
So far this year, House and Senate candidates have received over $1.6 million in combined funds from the Illinois Democratic Party and the Democratic Majority committees.
Back in 2012, without Rauner's financial backing, the Illinois GOP committee spent $3.4 million on Illinois legislative races. By comparison, the 2012 election cycle saw $6.7 million in spending from the Illinois Democratic Party.
"There's never been a time in recent history where House Republicans have outspent House Democrats. It's been a considerable disadvantage," House Minority Leader Jim Durkin told the AP, adding that Rauner's financial support "for the first time in many years gives us a fighting chance."
House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie addressed the Illinois GOP's cash infusion in local races. "This is a new ballgame and we're taking it very seriously," she said.
Stay tuned.