Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Clumns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger Dads' Rights
  • Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case Chicago
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection Arthur Kallow
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners Blogger
  • Pekau diatribe expels residents Feb 5 2024 board meeting on ceasefire
    Chicago Union bosses embrace anti-Arab & anti-Muslim racism to fuel Fire District takeover Baby Boomers
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban Bill Lipinski
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day Blogger
  • Fentanyl drugs Courtesy of the DEA
    Five Defendants Charged in Federal Investigation Targeting Fentanyl Sales in Chicago Crime
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Southland manufacturer receives state funding thanks to Hastings Business
  • Stolen merchandise in the arrest of Isadore House by Cook County Sheriff 06-11-25
    Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered Chicago
  • Ray Hanania joins Thom Serafin on The Crisis Cast Podcast this week discussing presidential politics, journalism and how to understand Trump's reality TV persona style
    Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news Commentary
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Suburban Chicago Physician Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud Crime
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Congresswoman and Illinois native Lucy McBath endorse Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate during Gun Violence Prevention Month Crime
  • Standup to growing anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism. Photo courtesy of human rights watch
    Chicago Federation of Labor criticized for racial bias against Arabs and Muslims Blogger
  • Orland Fire Protection District responds to fire in Orland Park Thursday Sept. 5, 2024. No injuries
    Orland Fire participates in Village Touch a Truck event June 12 Festival
Bar Chart of highest spending in mayoral races by candidates in three cities including New York (2005, 2009, 2013), Chicago (2015) and Los Angeles (2013)

Can Mayoral challengers step up to give Emanuel a run for his money?

Posted on May 1, 2018May 1, 2018 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Can Mayoral challengers step up to give Emanuel a run for his money?
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Can Mayoral challengers step up to give Emanuel a run for his money?

A new analysis by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform looks at how record spending is making it difficult to challenge incumbents who raise huge campaign war chests in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Can challengers in Chicago really challenge Mayor Emanuel whose last election saw more than $33 million spent, and whose war chest currently is $4.7 million?

With the election still over nine months away, all eyes are focused on who will be elected Chicago’s next Mayor in 2019. Money is already flowing into the race, with incumbent Rahm Emanuel’s campaign reporting $2.8 million in contributions for the month of April. When Willie Wilson wrote himself a check for $100,000, he lifted contribution limits from the race, allowing candidates to take in unlimited amounts of money from any source.

Currently, all candidates combined have just over $5 million in cash on hand for next year’s election. Emanuel has $4.7 million on hand, 18 times more than the combined total of his challengers. While many expect the election in 2019 to be difficult for Emanuel, he currently maintains a significant financial advantage over his opponents.

Garry McCarthy candidate for Chicago Mayor
Garry McCarthy candidate for Chicago Mayor

Emanuel’s top donors this year have included Michael Sacks ($500k), the Chicagoland Operators Union ($250k), the Ironworkers Union ($250k), the LIUNA Union ($250k), and Daniel Tierney ($133k). In addition, the Chicago Carpenters Union, Michael Duchossois, Barry Malkin, the Willy Family, Inc., and Bernard Schwartz have each given $100,000 to Emanuel.

Chicago Businessman Willie Wilson
Chicago Businessman Willie Wilson

Can the Challengers Compete?
Currently, Emanuel’s challengers are struggling to raise any money, let alone match the mayor’s fundraising powerhouse. Emanuel’s nearest fundraising competitor, Garry McCarthy, started the month of April with $91,445, and has only raised $13,500 since. None of McCarthy’s donors have given over $10,000, leaving significant room for growth in his fundraising strategy. Self-funder Willie Wilson could also expand his fundraising pool by developing an outside donor base, as $100,000 from his $116,900 war chest came from his own wallet.

Bridget Gainer, Cook County Commissioner, 10th District
Bridget Gainer, Cook County Commissioner `10th District

Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, who has indicated an interest in running, may be the best positioned to challenge the sitting mayor. Gainer currently has $812,142 in funds available in her campaign account. While the mayor’s $4.7 million still dwarfs Gainer’s money, Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia posed a serious challenge to Emanuel in 2015 with significantly less money than Gainer coming into the 2019 race.

Most Expensive Mayoral Races in US History
Totals Include Funds Spent by Candidates and Super PACs

Bar Chart of highest spending in mayoral races by candidates in three cities including New York (2005, 2009, 2013), Chicago (2015) and Los Angeles (2013)
Bar Chart of highest spending in mayoral races by candidates in three cities including New York (2005, 2009, 2013), Chicago (2015) and Los Angeles (2013)

Historical Cost of Mayoral Elections

The 2015 race for Chicago Mayor cost a whopping $38 million, including $3.3 million in spending from Super PACs including Chicago Forward and Chicagoans United for Economic Security PAC. By comparison, Emanuel’s first election in 2011 cost just $19 million, and the 2007 race, the final for the Daley family, cost $7 million.

The 2015 Chicago Mayoral race, costing $38 million, ranks in the top four most expensive mayoral elections in US history. Billionaire Michael Bloomberg took the record for most expensive race with a $119 million election in 2009, following a $109 million race to secure re-election as New York’s Mayor in 2005. Bill de Blasio of New York also saw a $68 million race when he first won election in 2013. Los Angeles, CA has also seen a rise in cost for their Mayoral races, with candidates spending $36 million in 2013.

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger - June 14, 2025
  • Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case - June 13, 2025
  • Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection - June 13, 2025
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Chicago, elections, Government, News, Politics Tags:Bridget Gainer, campaign fundraising, candidates for Chicago mayor, election spending, Garry McCarthy, high cost of elections, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Willie Wilson

Post navigation

Previous Post: New book released, “100 Things to do on Route 66 before You Die”
Next Post: ComEd Readies for Severe Weather Across Northern Illinois

Related Posts

  • Illinois State Capitol Building. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Republican legislators criticize Pritzker Gas Tax Blogger
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Leving Firm Matrimonial Law Seminar: Comparing administrative child support proceedings to judicial proceedings Jeffery Leving
  • Ian Conyers, a former Michigan legislator and nephew of longtime Congressman John Conyers. Photo courtesy of Ian Conyers.
    Michigan’s 13th Congressional battle topic on radio Friday with Ian Conyers breaking news
  • Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Palos Heights. Courtesy of Stagg High school
    District 230 Congratulates National Merit Semi Finalists and Commended Cook County
  • Actor Larry Yando as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Goodman Theater Production of A Christmas Carol. Courtesy of the Goodman Theater
    Goodman Theater hosts 44th annual A Christmas Carol Nov. 20 – Dec. 31 Chicago
  • Dr. Willie Wilson holds a press conference at a gas station in the Town of Cicero detailing his efforts to relieve pressures on motorists with rising gas prices. Pictured with him is Cicero Town President Larry Dominick. Photo courtesy of Gerardo Lopez
    Lightfoot uses taxpayer dollars for political stunt Blogger

More Related Articles

Two slates of candidates running in the Trustee elections in the Village of Orland Park,: on the left the Orland Integrity Party with Carole Griffin Ruzich, Devin Hodge and Kelly O'Brien, and on the right, the People Over Politics slate with Michael Milani, William Healy and Cindy Katsenes. Nasty robocalls only hurt Orland Park Blogger
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas with elected officials and Arab community leaders at the Arab American Heritage celebration at Oozi Restaurant April 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of Anthony Caciopo Pappas: Get early look at next year’s property taxes Chicago
Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois Kelly, Foster, Newman among those voting to pass Assault Weapons Ban Act Crime
Fireworks display for the 4th of July. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Cook County Comr Donna Miller lists district 4th of July celebrations Cook County
National Night Out in Lyons Features
Illinois Tollway. Courtesy of the Illinois Tollway Authority Illinois Tollway wins Excellence Award for snow, Ice control Cook County

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection
    June 13, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners
    June 13, 2025
  • Pekau diatribe expels residents Feb 5 2024 board meeting on ceasefire
    Chicago Union bosses embrace anti-Arab & anti-Muslim racism to fuel Fire District takeover
    June 13, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban
    June 12, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Often overlooked single fathers deserve praise this Father’s Day
    June 12, 2025
  • Ray Hanania joins Thom Serafin on The Crisis Cast Podcast this week discussing presidential politics, journalism and how to understand Trump's reality TV persona style
    Podcast: Musk vs Trump and the impact of media distortion on news
    June 11, 2025
  • NEWS
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger
    June 14, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Madigan sentenced to stiff seven and a half years in prison on corruption case
    June 13, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves Hockey skate Past Rockford Icehogs 4 to 2
    February 23, 2025
  • Chicago Wolves player Andrew Poturalski. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves. https://www.chicagowolves.com
    The Chicago Wolves dispatched the Iowa Wild 4-1 on Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
    February 22, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team’s court victory protected dad’s daughters from reported danger
    June 14, 2025
  • Stolen merchandise in the arrest of Isadore House by Cook County Sheriff 06-11-25
    Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered
    June 11, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme