In 60th House race, Rita Mayfield outraising Jackie Burleson
Democratic state Rep. Rita Mayfield has vastly outraised Republican challenger Jackie Burleson in the race for the 60th District seat, state records show.
Mayfield collected $19,050 in campaign donations during the third quarter of the year and spent more than $26,217 during the same period, according to finance reports on file with the state board of elections.
Burleson, however, hasn’t filed any campaign disclosure reports. When asked about the paperwork, he said he hasn’t hit the $3,000 threshold that would require him to fill out the forms.
“I’m pretty close to the $3,000 mark,” Burleson said Monday.
Mayfield couldn’t be reached for comment.
The 60th District includes Waukegan and parts of North Chicago, Beach Park and Gurnee. Mayfield and Burleson are running for a two-year term.
State legislative candidates who raise or spend at least $3,000 must file quarterly financial disclosure reports with the elections board. They must also file individual reports for donations of $1,000 or more.
Donations of less than $150 do not need to be itemized on the reports.
The reports are viewable online at elections.state.il.us.
The most recent quarterly reports cover donations and expenditures from July 1 to Sept. 30.
Mayfield is a Waukegan resident who is finishing her first full term in the House.
Notable campaign donors during the third quarter included political action committees representing:
Ÿ Abbott Laboratories, which gave $2,000.
Ÿ Baxter Healthcare, $250.
Ÿ Comcast, $1,000.
Ÿ ComEd, $1,000.
Ÿ Walmart, $1,500.
Several labor unions also cut big checks to Mayfield’s campaign, including groups representing autoworkers, electrical workers, teachers and service employees.
Mayfield’s committee gave money to other candidates last quarter, including $500 to state Senate hopeful Melinda Bush of Grayslake, records show.
Mayfield ended the quarter with more than $13,557 in the bank.
After the period ended, Mayfield reported receiving separate $1,000 donations from political action committees representing the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Burleson is a construction worker from Waukegan Township. He acknowledged Mayfield’s commanding lead when it comes to fundraising but believes he has a shot at unseating her.
“I knew it was a longshot going in,” he said.
Burleson said he’s been campaigning door to door with like-minded volunteers rather than spending money on signs and paid staff.
Election Day is Nov. 6. Early voting ends Saturday.