By: Nick Binotti
‘Tis the season of giving. For many Illinois politicians, ‘tis also the season of receiving.
From labor unions to trade and business organizations to law firms to our very own governor, many well-monied interests continuously vie for the attention of our elected leaders – even during the holidays.
The Illinois State Board of Elections tracks political contributions and expenditures at the local and state level throughout Illinois. Below we show (1) Illinois’ biggest donors, and (2) the state’s largest recipients of individual political contributions from December 1st through December 15th, a timeframe that coincides with the holiday season.
You can see below, in a mere two weeks, how much big money can be doled in such a short time.
The most generous donor during this time span was the Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor Management, the political action committee for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, which gave over $1.1 million total in political contributions over just those two weeks.
Gov. Pritzker was the second biggest donor, making a single contribution of $500,000 to the Democratic Party of Illinois. That donation is just one of over $16 million in contributions he has made to that specific committee since 2018.
The next table shows the recipients of the largest single political contributions made over this two-week timeframe. The Democratic Party of Illinois leads the list by virtue of Gov. Pritzker’s contribution discussed above.
You’ll also see numerous large contributions to the leaders of the General Assembly. Both Sen. President Don Harmon and House Speaker Chris Welch received $400,000 each from Local 150 – the biggest contributor that we noted above.
It’s worth noting that both of those leaders also control other political action committees that appear on this list: Harmon’s ISDF and Welch’s Democrats for the Illinois House. As you can see, big money is flowing to the state’s three leaders.
Local 150 contributed to Republicans as well, including Senate Minority Leader John Curran and Senator Terri Bryant, though in smaller amounts.
The above is just a snippet of what’s happened this year. But with an election coming up in 2024, look for big money to continue coming in.
Election season or not, political contributions never take a holiday in Illinois.
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- In the name of equity, Chicago looks to close schools with top-performing black, Hispanic students
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
On Friday, Don Harmon reported an additional $1.2 million in political contributions. The amount of money flowing into Springfield this month was simply obscene.
Do you have any suggestions or ideas? How about goals? In person meetings?
Talk to a union member and you will discover that many of them have the mind of a 3yr old when it comes to politics. I know several people, conservatives, who dislike everything democrats propose or do and yet they will vote for the candidate the union tells them to vote for, usually a democrat. Why? The answer by most of them is “they, the union, know what’s best for us”. Amazing stupidity. The control the unions have over most of their membership is like brain washing. I then listen to them complain about democrats and I remind them of… Read more »
Occasionally it’s worth remembering that one person’s junk can be another’s treasure and vice-versa. Nobody has concrete knowledge of the absolute worth of most things, beliefs or ideas. We really only have our personal take on such things ultimately.
We have more than 2,000 years of recorded history to show us the worth of beliefs and ideas. We have a track record of real-world results by which to judge ideas. Only those who refuse to learn from history would believe that the value of ideas is determined simply by the “eye of the beholder”. One doesn’t need to know 2,000 years of history to understand that. The last 150 years is more than sufficient.
Thats why leftists are so intent on rewriting or erasing history. History is proof positive that their fervent beliefs lead only to disaster.
Yes, there really is a large amount of nihilism on today’s left. Just destroy everything. That’s because a large part of their coalition is simply losers. Not the underprivileged or oppressed, just losers, so they’d rather rip everything down.
The infamous Mystery Grove
@Clayton Bigsby I’m an expert in communication, sociology and related fields, but we don’t even need to go there. You’re too negative! Labeling people stupid will get you nowhere. There are plenty of sound ways to accomplish your goals, but they aren’t necessarily straightforward or something you can do all by yourself. Posting a defeatist statement deters others from taking action. So, not only are you making mistakes in your own efforts, but you’re skewing the perception of others with similar views. That’s a double loss, and, to use your word, stupid. I often get mad at Wirepoints for failing… Read more »
“I’m taking proactive steps to fix this mess we’re all in. I’m working on a big project that’s coming out soon. I’m identifying and proposing solutions for lots of common political traps, promoted by sophisticated social engineers, and yours is a prime example” You’ve been droning on and on about how you are going to save the state for a long time. Just tell us what you’re working on already. “I’m taking proactive steps, I’m identifying and proposing solutions, I’m working on a big project….blah blah blah. You can’t even win over the people on a website that basically agree… Read more »
I’m documenting and exposing the social engineering ruse that’s disorienting the average Joe. You might even make a cameo in my project. LOL
Now, that’s a laugh! There are a few good people on Wirepoints that understand what I’m trying to do. I’m confident the people I’m trying to reach see through all of the noise here. Unfortunately, most are trolls.
My favorite is that years ago the Steelworkers were demanding tariffs. Trump travelled to the Granite City Illinois steel mill to announce that he was imposing the tariffs the Steelworkers wanted. Next up the Steelworkers didn’t back Trump come next election. Union mentality only recognizes the D key on election day.
NASCAR racers and their cars are plastered with sponsor decals, in bright colors, placement and size of the loud decals are determined by the sponsorship payment. Beer, tires, engine, brake systems, potato chips, all kinds of sponsors. Illinois politicians should be required to plaster decals all over their clothes in proportion to their donors, just like NASCAR. Hell just give them Kevlar jumpsuits to wear like the racers. This way we’d at least all know what their bull$h1t is based upon, and who’s arse they are wiping.
Operators Local 150 maken sure your paying some of the highest gas rates in country and $30,000 for lead service line replacement in Chicago to name a few pay-to-play rip-offs deals w Springfield…..and the equity obsessed press say nothing??
The list seems well represented by unions and a Nursing Home Lobbying group. I guess the nursing homes need to keep that Medicaid flowing because Illinois certainly has plenty of individuals that qualify including the immigrants that will need nursing home care sooner or later.
Most politicians in Illinois are useless and they continue to use bull…. To try and placate the
Voters. The voters should vote in NONPARTISAN, NONPolitical representatives,
The current elected government are all the same, they would steal the coins from a dead
Man’s eyes.
The above chart is very disturbing in that it shows how massive the clout buying is in IL by special interests who are all looking for taxpayer handouts. One can only wonder where this $$$ goes – is there a real audit trail? I find it disturbing that public employee unions in IL are so involved in clout buying – recipe for abuse.
Grift, grift, grift. On full, unabashed display for all to see. These people could make organized crime blush.
There’s a big difference?
Apparently, “ thumbs down “ with the I love Pritzger sign in his front yard thinks so. Pigs Paid First.