Mazzochi Receives Special Interest Money

ELMHURST — State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, is relatively new on the Springfield political scene. But her campaign finance reports represent little new. Like nearly all Republican and Democratic incumbents, her money comes from powerful interests that regularly bankroll politicians.

On Tuesday, Mazzochi turned in her campaign financial report for the last quarter. A quarter of her donations came from the Chicagoland Operators Joint Labor-Management Political Action Committee, which gives to both Republicans and Democrats, according to state Board of Elections reports. About 12 percent came from four pharmaceutical companies. And another 12 percent was from telecommunications firms and utilities such as AT&T Employees, Verizon, Peoples Gas and Ameren. Dish Network, the Realtors organization and the chemical industry's trade group each gave $1,000.

At the end of the last quarter, Mazzochi, who represents the 47th House District, had $56,134 in her campaign account. Her report shows she has given $260,000 in personal loans to the campaign.

Mazzochi could not be reached for comment Wednesday. She is expected to compete in November's election against Clarendon Hills Democrat Jennifer Zordani. She raised $8,000 in her first quarter as a candidate. The contributions mainly came from individuals, according to her report. Significantly, though, she received about $300 in in-kind contributions from Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan's political committee, an indication that the Madigan-chaired state Democratic Party plans to invest in the race.

Although the 47th District has long been held by Republicans, it could be a tight race this time around. In the era of Donald Trump, more and more suburbs across the nation, including in metropolitan Chicago, are moving to the Democratic column.

In 2018, Mazzochi prevailed over Democrat Jim Caffrey with 51.5 percent of the vote. She succeeded longtime Republican Rep. Patti Bellock, who served two decades before deciding to retire. Bellock ran unopposed in her last three elections and won with big victories before that.

Mazzochi's relatively narrow victory was despite the fact that she outspent Caffrey — $270,000 to $170,000, according to state Board of Elections records.

One example of the suburban shift to Democrats is the 24th Senate District, half of which is the 47th House District. Suzy Glowiak turned the Senate district blue in the 2018 election.

Glowiak's term expires in 2023, but, as with most lawmakers, her fundraising continues. In the last quarter, she pulled in $15,075, with her campaign account ending the quarter with $39,012. Among her biggest contributors were Cigna ($2,500) and Comcast ($1,500). Unions gave her $1,750. Like Mazzochi, she received money from the Chicagoland Operators, which gave $1,000. She also got $200 from ComEd and $250 each from lobbyist Alfred Ronan and Peoples Gas.