A $75,000 contribution from Gov. JB Pritzker’s campaign weeks before the election turbocharged the McLean County Democratic Party’s already substantial financial advantage as the party seeks to defend its county board majority and seize its first countywide elected office in decades.
A review of campaign finance records in McLean County also shows donations from an energy company that will be seeking approval for a controversial carbon capture project.
A Pritzker-sized cash advantage for Democrats
Pritzker, the billionaire governor who has self-funded his own campaign and is outspending Republican rival Darren Bailey 25-1 in his bid for a third term, is sprinkling money from his massive war chest to Democratic candidates and causes across the country.
By comparison, Pritzker gave $50,000 each to Champaign County and Sangamon County Democrats, $40,000 to Peoria County Democrats, $10,000 to Democrats in Tazewell County and $5,000 to Macon County [Decatur] Democrats. While the McLean County Republican and Democratic parties have spent similar amounts on their campaigns over the last year [Republicans have spent $133,368 compared to the Democrats’ bill of $132,703 since July 1, 2025], Democrats reported six times the amount of cash on hand [$72,813-$12,357] that Republicans had at the end of the last quarterly filing period on Sept. 30, according to Illinois State Board of Elections [ISBE] records.
That does not include the $75,000 Pritzker gave to McLean County Democrats on Oct. 7, since it came after the filing period ended.
“We do not have those kinds of funds that the Democrats have been able to draw from. Good, bad or indifferent, that’s the reality,” McLean County Republican Party chair Connie Beard said, adding Democrats also benefit from lots of financial backing from unions. “We don’t have a billionaire in our back pocket to be able to help fund what goes on in McLean County.”
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Beard said the Republican Party needs to rely on grassroots fundraising and community events when they hope to engage with voters face-to-face.
Patrick Cortesi, the McLean County Democratic Party chair, said the party has sought funding from the governor to help execute its Get Out The Vote efforts. Cortesi noted the governor has consistently funded local races throughout Illinois to help strengthen the party base.
“We’re honored and proud that he considers us to be a good return on his investment,” Cortesi said.
Election filing records show Pritzker gave McLean County Democrats $10,000 in 2024 and $60,000 in 2022, the first time Pritzker ran for re-election against Bailey.
County Clerk
In addition to the $75,000 Pritzker gave McLean County Democrats, the governor contributed $10,000 to the campaign coffers of McLean County Clerk candidate Joshua Crockett.
The staffer to Democratic state Sen. Dave Koehler is seeking to defeat four-term incumbent Kathy Michael, who had until recently closed out her fundraising campaign seven years ago.
Koehler has given $10,000 to Crockett’s campaign. Koehler’s legislative colleague, Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, has given Crockett’s campaign $15,000. Crockett ended the last reporting period on Sept. 30 with nearly $26,000 on hand.
“I started this race and have continued to run this race as the underdog and that takes resources,” Crockett said. “My opponent has had every opportunity to do what I have done.”
Michael had deactivated her campaign committee in June 2019, after defeating Nikita Richards, a well-funded Democratic challenger, in the 2018 general election.
Michael ran unopposed in the spring primary and did not face a general election challenge until April when the Democratic Party slated Crockett to run against her.
“Before the primary, there was no one [who] filed, no indication anyone was going to file, so I’m sure she’s had to adjust,” Beard said.
Michael previously accepted $1,500 in contributions from McLean County Republicans, but had not raised enough to meet the $5,000 threshold require to report to the State Board of Elections.
When a WGLT reporter asked Michael on Monday how she planned to overcome Crockett’s financial advantage, she replied “years of experience” and added she just had not exceeded the “huge amounts” of money required to file with the state.
On Tuesday, Michael filed a Statement of Organization with the State Board of Elections [IBSE], which allows her campaign to accept gifts totaling $5,000 or more. The report states Michael's campaign committee was reactivated on Oct. 5.
A spokesperson with the ISBE said a candidate may launch a campaign committee in anticipation of reaching the $5,000 threshold in funds spent or gained but does not need to report any contributions until that target is reached.
Crockett is looking to become the first Democrat to hold countywide elected office in McLean County since Sheriff Steve Brienen, a five-term officeholder from the 1978 to 1998. He switched to the Republican party after his first two terms.
One Earth contribution
Gibson City-based One Earth Energy is seeking state regulatory approval to build a carbon capture project in eastern McLean County.
The technology involves injecting liquified carbon dioxide into an underground well. Carbon capture is touted as a green energy solution by removing climate warming gases from the atmosphere. Critics dispute the environmental benefits and raise concerns about the potential for underground leaks and other possible harms.
The McLean County Board in 2023 rejected the company’s request to construct three wells for the project, citing that the plan did not include an adequate safety plan. One Earth has since scaled back its proposal and presented it to the community in a series of public information sessions.
One Earth has since contributed $10,000 to both the Democratic and Republican parties in McLean County, ahead of a potential future vote by the county board. The board would consider permitting for the project if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gives its approval.
In a statement to WGLT, One Earth CEO Steve Kelly said the company wants to support candidates “on both sides of the aisle.”
“In communities like ours, local elected officials play an important role in helping the places we call home thrive. By prioritizing the needs of our neighbors, local leaders — from county board members, to county clerks, to mayors and everyone in between —ensure we have the services and support that make our cities and small towns the places where people want to live, work and raise their families,” Kelly said.
Cortesi said he sees no conflict with accepting the contribution and doesn’t think it would compromise county board members.
“I don’t know that that’s an amount that would cause that to happen,” Cortesi said. “I would rather take their money and win our elections and have a seat at the table when those conversations are being had about what to do about those issues.”
Beard said the Republican Party appreciates the gift, adding that it comes with no strings attached and with “minimal communication” from county board candidates about it.
“There were no promises made, no requests from us, or any assurances, none of that,” Beard said.
Endorsements
Many candidates are touting endorsements they’ve received. Many endorsements are predictable based on party affiliation. Those that aren’t — and those that come with financial commitments — may carry more weight.
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce PAC, which advocates for “pro-business perspectives,” has endorsed three Republican county board candidates: Jeffrey Lord, Geoff Tompkins and Matt Steinkoenig. The PAC also endorsed two Democrats: Jennifer Brown, who is running against Republican Kevin Lower, and Lea Cline, who is unopposed.
The committee gave Steinkoenig’s campaign $3,000, Lord $1,000 and Brown $500. Tompkins has not set up a campaign fund to accept contributions.
The McLean County Farm Bureau Political Involvement Committee, whose stated purpose with the State Board of Elections is “to educate the public on issues of importance to the quality of life in a free America,” endorsed all Republicans, along with Cline.
The committee did not endorse a candidate in the District 4 race between Democratic incumbent William Bessler and Republican Jerry Klinkner.
The farm bureau’s political action committee contributed to four Republican candidates: $1,500 to Steinkoenig, $1,000 to Lord and $500 each to incumbents Brian Bangert, William Friedrich and Andy Ziebarth.
In the race for county clerk, Crockett has touted the endorsements of multiple Republicans, including former two-term sheriff Mike Emery and former county GOP chair Mike O’Grady.
Michael has heralded the endorsements of McLean County Circuit Clerk Don Everhart, county coroner Kathy Yoder, former sheriff Jon Sandage, former county board chair Catherine Metsker [all Republicans] and various local elected officials, including the mayors of LeRoy, Downs, Colfax and Gridley.
Money needed
Both party chairs raise concern about the amount of money candidates need to run a successful campaign. Cortesi and Beard both said candidates need to be ready to spend at least $10,000 on their own county board races.
Beard said in some cases, it’s closer to a $15,000 minimum.
“I think that’s absolutely atrocious that somebody as an individual would be asked to generate that much money simply to present themselves to the voters,” Beard said.
Beard added the party keeps its cash reserves low to make sure it’s getting the money to support its candidates as much as possible.
“It’s not doing any good for the party to have a big fat bank account when we need to have them money out in the hands of the candidates,” Beard said.
Cortesi said while the financial commitment is high, it helps to determine candidate commitment.
“It also shows how serious they take that job. How intensely they want to have that office and do a good job for the people in their own particular neighborhoods and the own districts,” Cortesi said.
WGLT student reporter Cole Loiacano contributed to this report.
