Illinois Governor's Race Could Be Most Expensive State Election Ever

Candidates running to become governor of Illinois in next year's election released their quarterly fundraising results this week. In the second quarter, two individual donors were responsible for more than 94 percent of reported contributions. With multiple billionaire contenders, the 2018 gubernatorial campaign is well on track to the become the most expensive in state history.

Incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner has now already received the two largest single campaign contributions in state history. The first came last December when he cut himself a $50 million check. Then in May, Ken Griffin, the head of investment firm Citidel and the state's richest man, gave Rauner $20 million.

In May and June, billionaire Hyatt heir J.B. Pritzker, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to oppose Rauner on the ballot next November, gave himself a pair of multi-million dollar gifts totaling $14 million. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

State Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston was the only candidate to raise more than a million dollars from more than a single donor. His campaign boasted more contributions and more cash on hand than the rest of the Democratic field combined.

Other candidates who reported second quarter fundraising numbers included Madison County schools superintendent Bob Daiber, Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar and Highwood State Rep. Scott Drury.

WATCH: The 2018 Illinois Governor's Race Might Be The Most Expensive In History

Here are the final 2nd quarter financing numbers submitted by gubernatorial campaigns, according to the Illinois Board of Elections:

Gov. Bruce Rauner

• $20,639,341.82 in contributions.
• $3,398,395.34 in expenditures.
• $39,625 debts and obligations
• $67,633,577.05 cash on hand.

Jay Robert "J.B." Pritzker

• $14,000,634.95 in contributions.
• $9,267,536.86 in expenditures.
• $4,874,467.68 cash on hand.

Sen. Daniel Biss

• $1,013,798.87 in contributions.
• $265,709.77 in expenditures.
• $2,340,170.17 cash on hand.

Chris Kennedy

• $703.767.10 in contributions.
• $652,523.79 in expenditures.
• $958,670.92 cash on hand.

Ald. Ameya Pawar

• $139,210.30 in contributions.
• $155,979.67 in expenditures.
• $229,433.68 cash on hand.

Rep. Scott Drury

• $66,259.00 in contributions.
• $3,994.38 in expenditures.
• $347,247.35 cash on hand.

Supt. Robert A. Daiber

• $13,788.71 in contributions.
• $41,154.93 in expenditures.
• $30,000 in debts and obligations.
• $10,163.95 cash on hand.

Top image via Illinois State Board of Elections