Schock will far outspend Kaptain for Elgin mayor

Two candidates with markedly different campaigning philosophies are in the middle of a race for Elgin mayor.

Councilman David Kaptain is largely financing his mayoral campaign himself, while incumbent Ed Schock has collected tens of thousands in donations.

Based on State Board of Elections reports, Kaptain raised $1,850 worth of contributions between July and December 2010. In the same time period, Schock raised $21,285.

Kaptain decided to fund his mayoral campaign, like he did his campaign for council in 2007, with money earned as an elected official rather than focusing on a fundraising effort.

His total budget was $20,000 based on earnings through 2009, when he stopped accepting a salary as a statement in the face of budget cuts. But for this election, Kaptain set a target budget of $12,000, not wanting to spend more.

“The poverty level is $21,000 or $22,000 for a family of four,” Kaptain said. “I think it’s obscene to spend that kind of money when there are those who don’t make that and feed their family for a whole year.”

Schock, on the other hand, is aiming to spend between $25,000 and $30,000 in his re-election campaign, similar to what he said he spent in previous elections.

“The cost of campaigns has gone up,” Schock said. “Additionally, I think mailing has become more important.” Schock has used direct mail twice this campaign season and plans to send out two more mailers before Election Day.

Kaptain is focusing more on media and online advertising rather than mailers. Mostly, he said he is relying on signs for advertising.

Kaptain’s campaign strategy is not one of convenience, but of passionate ideas about morality. He said he believes campaign contributions can cause conflicts of interest on the council.

Over his years as a councilman, Kaptain has abstained regularly on votes concerning organizations for which he volunteers. He said he doesn’t want campaign contributions to become another source for a similar conflict — one that isn’t regulated by law but would tug at his conscience nonetheless.

Kaptain said it’s his personal decision in the face of a dilemma.

“I may be going too far the other way, but that’s my choice,” Kaptain said.

Schock disagrees with the idea that accepting donations creates a conflict of interest at the council table.

“That’s why there is a reporting system that the state has for all candidates, regardless of office,” Schock said.

Schock pointed to the transparency of the system as well as his use of the money on the campaign only, rather than on personal expenses, as a defense of his own actions.

Candidates must report contributions of more than $500 within 48 hours until the election, but the next report is not due until April 15 for contributions less than that. Kaptain disclosed a $5,000 donation from himself to his election fund at the beginning of January, but Schock has filed no recent reports.

Filing information is available by searching for Schock’s and Kaptain’s campaign funds at elections.state.il.us.