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Illinois

U.S. Senate State-level Ballot measures
current through October 27, 2014 — updates Thursdays
includes preliminary data for most recent week
Who's calling the shots?: State ad wars tracker:
TV ads in 2014 state races
$71 million
estimated TV ad spending on
state races in the 2014 cycle
What's behind these numbers?
$7.91
per eligible voter
83,300
times ads ran
$4.4 million primary general Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.

Kantar Media/CMAG monitors TV signals for political advertising nationwide, capturing ads each time they run. Then, using a proprietary formula, it estimates how much placing each ad costs.

Like any estimate, it's imperfect. Here's what it covers, and what it doesn't:

  • Just placement on TV — The estimate only covers TV ads, not other kinds of political messages, such as ads that appear on radio or online. The estimate also only includes how much money a candidate or organization spent to place the ad, not to make it.
  • No local cable — Kantar Media monitors local broadcast TV in all 210 media markets, as well as national network and national cable TV advertising. If an ad runs on a local cable channel, it won't be counted here.
  • Any political ad — Unlike records filed at the Federal Elections Commission, this information includes so-called “issue ads” that mention a Senate candidate but don’t overtly call for the candidate’s election or defeat. Unless run immediately before a primary or general election, issue ad spending does not have to be reported to the FEC.
  • No future ads — Unlike some records from the Federal Communications Commission, it only counts ads that have already run. Future ad buys are not included.
  • Subject to dispute — Since the estimate is based on a formula, it may not exactly reflect what placing the ad actually cost. Think of the cost estimate as a well-informed guess, which can provide useful points of comparison.

Have more questions? Try this FAQ »

close
Governor
$62.9 million
$4.4 million primary general Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.
Bruce Rauner 
R
DONORS
est. total $31.9 million
Bruce Vincent Rauner
$14.1 million
Republican Governors Association
$7 million
Kenneth C Griffin
$4.6 million
Richard E Uihlein
$605,300
Illinois Manufacturers Association
$465,000
Illinois Republican Party
$430,900
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 88% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 15,700
mixed ads
$10.4 million
targeting Pat Quinn 
D

554
negative
$32,700
targeting Bill Brady 
R

91
negative
$11,200
targeting Bill Brady 
R

Kirk Dillard 
R

1,161
negative
$219,700
targeting Kirk Dillard 
R

9,782
negative
$10.3 million
targeting Pat Quinn 
D

9,266
positive
$10.9 million
supporting Bruce Rauner 
R
Pat Quinn 
D
DONORS
est. total $23 million
Democratic Governors Association
$3.7 million
Seiu Healthcare Illinois Indiana
$1.3 million
United Association of Journeymen, Apprentices of The Plumbing, Pipe Fitting Industry of The United States, Canada / Ua
$870,000
Fred Eychaner
$755,300
Laborers International Union of North America / Liuna
$680,600
Operating Engineers Local 150
$555,200
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 2,149
mixed ads
$2.4 million
targeting Bruce Rauner 
R

16,100
negative
$15.2 million
targeting Bruce Rauner 
R

4,388
positive
$5.3 million
supporting Pat Quinn 
D

Illinois Freedom PAC
ran 6,400
negative ads
est. $7.1 million
targeting Bruce Rauner 
R

Fund for Progress and Jobs
ran 312
positive ads
est. $444,000
supporting Kirk Dillard 
R

Mid America Fund, Inc.
ran 1,545
negative ads
est. $244,600
targeting Dan Rutherford 
R

Kirk Dillard 
R

Bill Brady 
R

Kirk Dillard 
R
DONORS
Illinois Education Association
$451,300
Illinois Federation of Teachers / Ift
$296,700
Afscme Illinois Council 31
$250,000
Jil Walker Tracy Campaign Cmte
$194,400
Jil Walker Tracy
$170,700
Kirk Dillard Campaign Cmte
$127,500
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 86% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 411
positive ads
est. $155,000
supporting Kirk Dillard 
R

Dan Rutherford 
R
DONORS
Unitemized Donations
$218,500
Elliot Donnelley
$25,000
Tnt Truck, Trailer Service Inc.
$22,000
Illinois Realtors Association
$16,700
Paul Smith
$16,500
Terrance Hunt
$15,000
One other donor gave $15,000.
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 84% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 84
positive ads
est. $37,400
supporting Dan Rutherford 
R

Bill Brady 
R
DONORS
Unitemized Donations
$22,900
Illinois Realtors Association
$14,800
Inc. Complete Equity Markets
$10,500
Inc Tri Star Marketing
$10,500
Ameren
$9,500
Chicagoland Operators Joint Labor Management
$8,000
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 86% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 87
positive ads
est. $11,500
supporting Bill Brady 
R

Attorney general
$2.6 million
$4.4 million primary general Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.
Lisa Madigan 
D
DONORS
United Association of Journeymen, Apprentices of The Plumbing, Pipe Fitting Industry of The United States, Canada / Ua
$105,200
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers / Ibew
$72,900
Plumbers, Pipefitters Local 597
$55,000
Constr., Gen. Labrs.' Dist. Cncl. of Chgo., Vic. Labrs.' Poli. Actio
$52,600
International Brotherhood of Teamsters / Ibt
$52,600
Laborers International Union of North America / Liuna
$50,000
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 1,517
positive ads
est. $2.6 million
supporting Lisa Madigan 
D

State representative
$1.7 million
$4.4 million primary general Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.
HOUSE DISTRICT 115
Bill Kilquist 
D
DONORS
est. total $504,200
Illinois Democratic Party
$518,200
Friends of Michael J Madigan
$46,300
Illinois Federation of Teachers / Ift
$25,000
Friends of John Bradley
$20,500
Southern, Central Illinois Laborers District Council
$18,500
Seiu Healthcare Illinois Indiana
$16,500
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 91% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 461
mixed ads
$87,700
targeting Terri Bryant 
R

1,535
negative
$291,700
targeting Terri Bryant 
R

684
positive
$124,900
supporting Bill Kilquist 
D

Terri Bryant 
R
DONORS
est. total $174,900
Illinois Republican Party
$153,200
House Republican Campaign Cmte of Illinois
$96,800
Illinois Education Association
$92,000
Downstate Gop
$40,000
Citizens for Durkin
$35,300
Reform PAC
$10,000
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 91% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 286
mixed ads
$68,300
targeting Bill Kilquist 
D

240
negative
$58,900
targeting Bill Kilquist 
D

209
positive
$47,700
supporting Terri Bryant 
R

Tony Mayville 
D
DONORS
Unitemized Donations
$12,900
Pete Reiman
$5,000
Tony Mayville
$4,400
Foresight Energy Co
$2,000
Robert Wilson
$2,000
Douglas County Democratic Central Cmte
$1,300
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 88% of reports; includes reports as recent as July 15, 2014.
ran 14
mixed ads
est. $2,140
targeting Bill Kilquist 
D

HOUSE DISTRICT 096
Sue Scherer 
D
DONORS
est. total $292,500
Illinois Democratic Party
$227,900
Illinois Education Association
$67,800
Illinois Laborers
$30,300
Seiu Healthcare Illinois Indiana
$15,500
Illinois Pipe Trades Association
$13,500
Friends of Michael J Madigan
$10,400
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 891
mixed ads
$132,100
targeting Mike Bell 
R

672
negative
$129,500
targeting Mike Bell 
R

392
positive
$30,900
supporting Sue Scherer 
D

Mike Bell 
R
DONORS
Illinois Republican Party
$103,600
House Republican Campaign Cmte of Illinois
$57,900
Citizens for Durkin
$50,800
Downstate Gop
$12,000
Mike Bell
$7,015
Joan Bell
$5,500
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 90% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 355
mixed ads
est. $54,300
targeting Sue Scherer 
D

HOUSE DISTRICT 071
Jim Wozniak 
R
DONORS
est. total $102,200
Illinois Republican Party
$197,300
House Republican Campaign Cmte of Illinois
$118,700
Citizens for Durkin
$50,300
Downstate Gop
$15,000
Kenneth C Griffin
$5,300
Bruce Vincent Rauner
$5,300
Three other donors gave $5,300.
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 90% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 478
negative ads
$88,100
targeting Mike Smiddy 
D

91
positive
$14,100
supporting Jim Wozniak 
R

Mike Smiddy 
D
DONORS
est. total $86,200
Afscme Illinois Council 31
$142,600
Illinois Education Association
$102,600
Seiu Healthcare Illinois Indiana
$52,500
Illinois Democratic Party
$45,700
Illinois Federation of Teachers / Ift
$43,000
North Central Illinois Laborers District Council
$32,500
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 257
mixed ads
$73,800
targeting Jim Wozniak 
R

29
positive
$12,400
supporting Mike Smiddy 
D

HOUSE DISTRICT 048
Sandra Pihos 
R
DONORS
Illinois Education Association
$102,600
Citizens for Durkin
$87,300
Health Care Council of Illinois
$20,000
Chicagoland Operators Joint Labor Management
$17,000
Il House Victory Fund
$10,800
Illinois Federation of Teachers / Ift
$10,300
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 80
mixed ads
est. $86,600
targeting Peter Breen 
R

Liberty Principles PAC
ran 42
mixed ads
est. $46,600
targeting Sandra Pihos 
R

HOUSE DISTRICT 045
Jenny Burke 
D
DONORS
Illinois Democratic Party
$244,600
Citizens for Lou Lang
$5,000
Friends for Anna Moeller
$5,000
Illinois Pipe Trades Association
$5,000
Friends of Emily Klunk-Mcasey
$3,500
Illinois Pro-Choice
$2,860
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 88% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 111
negative ads
est. $113,600
targeting Christine Winger 
R

HOUSE DISTRICT 081
Liberty Principles PAC
ran 66
mixed ads
est. $63,000
targeting Ron Sandack 
R

HOUSE DISTRICT 039
Maria Antonia Berrios 
D
DONORS
31st Ward Democratic Organization
$66,100
Illinois Democratic Party
$60,600
Friends of Michael J Madigan
$27,100
Equality Illinois
$16,000
Citizens for Tully
$13,000
Illinois Pro-Choice
$8,480
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 28
positive ads
est. $25,500
supporting Maria Antonia Berrios 
D

Will Guzzardi 
D
DONORS
Illinois Education Association
$65,000
Afscme Illinois Council 31
$62,600
Seiu Healthcare Illinois Indiana
$57,400
Illinois Federation of Teachers / Ift
$51,000
Unitemized Donations
$26,500
Chicago Teachers Union
$16,000
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 90% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 36
positive ads
est. $23,600
supporting Will Guzzardi 
D

HOUSE DISTRICT 103
Kristin Williamson 
R
DONORS
Downstate Gop
$15,000
House Republican Campaign Cmte of Illinois
$14,700
Champaign County Business Empowered PAC
$10,000
Unitemized Donations
$6,998
Kenneth C Griffin
$5,300
Bruce Vincent Rauner
$5,300
One other donor gave $5,300.
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 91% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 82
positive ads
est. $22,000
supporting Kristin Williamson 
R

Carol Ammons 
D
DONORS
est. total $13,600
Service Employees Local 73
$22,000
Illinois Democratic Party
$20,000
Afscme Illinois Council 31
$15,000
Illinois Pro-Choice
$12,000
Service Employees
$10,800
Chicago Teachers Union
$10,300
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 92% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran five
mixed ads
$670
targeting Sam Rosenberg 
D

51
positive
$12,900
supporting Carol Ammons 
D

Sam Rosenberg 
D
DONORS
Illinois Democratic Party
$54,300
Friends of Michael J Madigan
$25,300
Thaddeus Jones Campaign Cmte
$19,000
Health Care Council of Illinois
$17,000
Illinois Laborers
$10,000
Paul Rosenberg
$7,942
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 91% of reports; includes reports as recent as April 15, 2014.
ran 134
mixed ads
est. $11,900
targeting Carol Ammons 
D

HOUSE DISTRICT 055
Liberty Principles PAC
ran six
positive ads
est. $24,300
supporting Mel Thillens 
R

HOUSE DISTRICT 046
Liberty Principles PAC
ran five
mixed ads
est. $22,100
targeting Deb Conroy 
D

State treasurer
$1.6 million
$4.4 million primary general Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.
Mike Frerichs 
D
est. total $1.4 million
ran 157
mixed ads
$345,800
targeting Tom Cross 
R

889
positive
$1 million
supporting Mike Frerichs 
D

Tom Cross 
R
DONORS
est. total $270,200
Citizens To Change Illinois PAC
$52,600
18th District Rcc Federal Account
$25,000
Operating Engineers Local 150
$25,000
Unitemized Donations
$21,700
Petersen Health Operations
$21,000
Equality Illinois
$20,500
One other donor gave $20,500.
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 90% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 107
mixed ads
$10,400
targeting Michael Frerichs 
D

199
mixed
$259,800
targeting Mike Frerichs 
D

State senator
$981,700
$4.4 million primary general Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.
SENATE DISTRICT 036
Mike Jacobs 
D
DONORS
est. total $425,000
Illinois Senate Democratic Victory Fund
$584,600
Illinois Democratic Party
$54,300
Ameren
$30,800
Illinois Professional Fire Fighters Association
$21,000
North Central Illinois Laborers District Council
$20,800
Chicagoland Operators Joint Labor Management
$20,000
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 737
mixed ads
$180,200
targeting Neil Anderson 
R

429
negative
$113,800
targeting Neil Anderson 
R

494
positive
$131,000
supporting Neil Anderson 
R

Neil Anderson 
R
DONORS
est. total $254,200
Republican State Senate Campaign Cmte of Illinois
$347,200
Illinois Republican Party
$67,800
Citizens for Christine Radogno
$10,000
Citizens for Darin Lahood
$6,000
Bruce Vincent Rauner
$5,300
Diana Mendley Rauner
$5,300
Two other donors gave $5,300.
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 91% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 48
mixed ads
$5,310
targeting Mike Jacobs 
D

759
negative
$232,700
targeting Mike Jacobs 
D

135
positive
$16,300
supporting Neil Anderson 
R

SENATE DISTRICT 048
Andy Manar 
D
DONORS
est. total $176,700
Illinois Democratic Party
$114,000
Illinois Laborers
$83,800
Illinois Education Association
$81,200
Illinois Federation of Teachers / Ift
$51,500
Illinois Senate Democratic Victory Fund
$46,100
Illinois Professional Fire Fighters Association
$31,600
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 329
mixed ads
$70,400
targeting Linda Little 
R

195
negative
$43,000
targeting Linda Little 
R

286
positive
$63,300
supporting Andy Manar 
D

Linda Little 
R
DONORS
Republican State Senate Campaign Cmte of Illinois
$260,700
Illinois Republican Party
$36,100
Richard E Uihlein
$5,300
Citizens for Christine Radogno
$5,000
Citizens for Dale A Righter
$2,500
Citizens for Kyle McCarter
$2,500
One other donor gave $2,500.
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 90% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 570
negative ads
est. $125,800
targeting Andy Manar 
D

Comptroller
$675,200
$4.4 million primary general Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.
Sheila Simon 
D
DONORS
Chicago Regional Illinois District Council of Carpenters
$55,000
Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association
$26,500
Llc Southern Illinois G.I. Specialists
$21,000
Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 504
$15,000
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers / Ibew
$11,000
Jay Robert (J B) Pritzker
$10,300
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 188
mixed ads
est. $420,400
targeting Judy Baar Topinka 
R

Judy Baar Topinka 
R
DONORS
est. total $254,800
Afscme Illinois Council 31
$93,500
Unitemized Donations
$42,200
Illinois Education Association
$41,000
Citizens To Change Illinois
$28,000
Illinois Hospital Association
$20,000
Operating Engineers Local 399
$16,500
Source: National Institute on Money in State Politics data — includes 78% of reports; includes reports as recent as October 15, 2014.
ran 47
mixed ads
$78,000
targeting Sheila Simon 
D

130
positive
$176,900
supporting Judy Baar Topinka 
R

Supreme court judge
$600,000
$4.4 million primary general Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.
SUPREME COURT DISTRICT 005
Campaign for 2016
ran 655
negative ads
est. $459,000
targeting Lloyd Karmeier 
N

Republican State Leadership Committee
ran 117
positive ads
est. $141,000
supporting Lloyd Karmeier 
N

current through October 27, 2014 — updates Thursdays
includes preliminary data for most recent week
Who's calling the shots?: Ballot measures:
TV ads in 2014 state ballot measure races
$1.9 million
estimated TV ad spending on
ballot measures in the 2014 cycle
What's behind these numbers?
22 cents
per eligible voter
628
times ads ran
$380,100 election Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.

Kantar Media/CMAG monitors TV signals for political advertising nationwide, capturing ads each time they run. Then, using a proprietary formula, it estimates how much placing each ad costs.

Like any estimate, it's imperfect. Here's what it covers, and what it doesn't:

  • Just placement on TV — The estimate only covers TV ads, not other kinds of political messages, such as ads that appear on radio or online. The estimate also only includes how much money a candidate or organization spent to place the ad, not to make it.
  • No local cable — Kantar Media monitors local broadcast TV in all 210 media markets, as well as national network and national cable TV advertising. If an ad runs on a local cable channel, it won't be counted here.
  • Any political ad — Unlike records filed at the Federal Elections Commission, this information includes so-called “issue ads” that mention a Senate candidate but don’t overtly call for the candidate’s election or defeat. Unless run immediately before a primary or general election, issue ad spending does not have to be reported to the FEC.
  • No future ads — Unlike some records from the Federal Communications Commission, it only counts ads that have already run. Future ad buys are not included.
  • Subject to dispute — Since the estimate is based on a formula, it may not exactly reflect what placing the ad actually cost. Think of the cost estimate as a well-informed guess, which can provide useful points of comparison.

Have more questions? Try this FAQ »

close
Expand Crime Victims' Bill of Rights
$1.9 million
$380,100 election Jan. 2014 Nov. Jan. 2014 Nov.
Marsy's Law for Illinois Committee
ran 628
TV ads
est. $1.9 million
advocating for Yes

Source: Center for Public Integrity analysis of Kantar Media/CMAG, National Institute on Money in State Politics data
What's behind these numbers?