Republican Morrison edging Flamm in 54th House District money contest

With four months to go until the November general election, Republican candidate Tom Morrison is out-raising and outspending fellow political newcomer, Democrat opponent Matt Flamm, in the 54th House District race.

State campaign disclosure reports show that from Jan. 1 to June 30, Morrison, a small-business owner from Palatine, raised more than $86,000, though that includes a $30,000 loan from himself. He spent about $47,000, the majority of it on a contentious February primary against six-term incumbent state Rep. Suzie Bassi.

Flamm, an attorney from Palatine, raised more than $42,000, but has spent just $4,000. He has about $33,500 cash on hand, compared to $47,500 for Morrison.

Flamm said his 222 contributions averaged $170 each, and that less than 10 percent of the total came from party organizations, unions or corporations.

Meanwhile, Morrison received donations from three times as many political action committees as Morrison, including several conservative groups.

"No one other than myself has given more than $1,200, so nobody can say, 'You owe me' when I get elected," Flamm said. "The only person I'll owe is the voters of the district."

Morrison countered that many of his contributions came from small-business owners and business PACs looking for a leader with business experience, like himself.

"All of us are very interested in seeing Illinois' economy return to prosperity," Morrison said. "They want a voice in Springfield with business experience."

Both candidates received individual contributions from some well-known figures in the area.

Among the more notable donations to Flamm were $500 from both Cook County Clerk David Orr and Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, $600 from former state Senate candidate Peter Gutzmer, and $250 from attorney Patrick Cullerton, brother of Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.

Morrison received $1,000 from Luke Praxmarer, president of the former official Palatine Township Republican group TOPPER, and $1,000 from Gerald Fitzgerald, brother of former U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald, formerly of Inverness. He also got $1,000 from Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, who Morrison said he met about 10 years ago while working on anti-abortion causes.

The 54th District includes all or parts of Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Inverness, Hoffman Estates, Barrington and South Barrington.