Money raised, money spent, on Tri-Cities area campaigns

Who spent what to get elected to office in Geneva, Sugar Grove and Batavia this spring? And who gave them the money to buy all those campaign signs, palm cards and mailers?

Campaign finance reports filed with the state board of elections give a partial glimpse.

Committees and candidates that do not accept or spend at least $3,000 in a 12-month period are not required to file statements of organizations or disclose contributions and expenditures.

Sugar Grove

Sugar Grove Trustee Kevin Geary, who ran unsuccessfully for village president, filed a first-quarter finance report April 13 that showed he began the year with $2,198 in the campaign wallet. He received $8,196, spent $5,977, and owed $1,495 to himself, as of March 31. During that quarter, he paid $1,960 to political consultant Jon Zahm, a Henry County resident who founded and leads the Kane County Conservative Coalition.

Geary’s opponent, President Sean Michels, started with $355.94, received $11,115 during the quarter, and spent $7,902.30. His campaign committee still owes $45,000 to Michels’ parents, from when Michels ran in primary for state senate. The committee paid Rick Montalto and Robert Bohler $250 apiece as campaign consultants; Bohler and Montalto are village trustees. It also paid political consultant Ellen Nottke $1,500, who has served as chairman of the Batavia Township Republican organization.

Batavia

Steve Vasilkion spent $2,862 in his bid to unseat 5th Ward Alderman Eldon Frydendall.

Nick Cerone, who defeated 6th Ward Alderman Bob Liva, raised $3,040 in the first quarter, and spent $1,970. The only contribution large enough to be itemized was $200 from George and Linda McGoldrick of Batavia.

Over in the 4th Ward, winner Jamie Saam raised $2,224, including $250 from Boyce Bodywerks of Batavia, $250 from Vicki and Jeff Speranske of Arizona and $500 from Alarm Detection Systems of Aurora. She spent $353.80 on her successful bid to unseat Alderman Jim Volk.

There are no reports for Frydendall, Volk or Liva.

Geneva

Because Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns’ campaign committee didn’t file a statement of organization until April 2, there is no first quarter report. The committee started the second quarter with $2,033. Second quarter reports are due in July.

Opponent Bob McQuillan started with no money, and received $7,140, including lending $3,000 to his campaign. He spent $5,005.