Money flows in primaries

Kane County Board incumbents vying to hold onto their seats in the Feb. 5 primary election have amassed war chests that dwarf those of their opponents, campaign finance records show.

With fewer than two weeks before the election, Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay has a clear financial lead over challenger Jim MacRunnels. McConnaughay, a seasoned fundraiser, amassed $43,470 between July 1 and Dec. 31, the most recent filing period. Her fortune comes largely from local businesses -- including a number of engineering firms and builders -- and politicians, including GOP 14th Congressional District candidate Jim Oberweis.

MacRunnels has $23,489, of which $10,000 is his own money. He received $10,000 from the Carpentersville-based Family Taxpayers Network, a conservative political group headed by Barrington businessman Jack Roeser. He also counts a few small contributions from neighbors and friends.

The winner will face Democrat Sandy Kaczmarski in the Nov. 4 general election.

In the county board's 26th district GOP primary, incumbent Jan Carlson of Elburn -- who also serves as chairman of McConnaughay's re-election campaign -- has raised $7,050 while his challenger, LaFox resident Drew Frasz, has amassed $3,275. The 26th District includes parts of Elburn, Sugar Grove, Maple Park and Big Rock in western Kane County.

In the 14th District GOP primary, incumbent Mark Davoust of St. Charles Township raised $4,300. His challenger, Geneva resident Tina Yagla, raised $1,030. The 14th District includes parts of western Geneva and St. Charles.

No Democrats have filed in either the 26th or 14th district races.

In the 20th District Democratic primary, incumbent Jesus de la Isla did not file a campaign finance report. Nor did his opponent, Cristina Castro. That means they did not raise $3,000, the threshold for which campaign finance reports must be filed.

The 20th District includes part of Elgin's east side. The winner will face Republican Larry Wegman.

State races

It's the contested state legislative races where the big bucks are being raised. State Rep. Tim Schmitz, a Batavia Republican, raised $79,160 this period in an effort to ward off challenger Jim Krenz of Carpentersville, who has raised $62,933.

Schmitz's single biggest donor is the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois PAC, which transferred $14,000. Krenz's single biggest donor is Roeser, who gave $15,000 personally and another $10,000 through the Family Taxpayers Network.

The 49th District reaches from Geneva to Carpentersville on the west side of the Fox River and goes out to the west of Elgin.

No Democrat has filed for the seat.

Kendall County Board member Kay Hatcher of Yorkville is leading the fundraising race among the four Republicans competing to succeed state Rep. Pat Reid Lindner in the 50th District. Hatcher raised $38,013, slightly more than Terry Hunt, of Big Rock, who raised $36,425, followed by Dave Richmond, of Batavia, with $24,563 and Tony Graff, of Yorkville, with $12,924.

Hatcher, Hunt and Richmond count themselves as their biggest donors. Hatcher loaned $18,069 to her campaign, while Hunt loaned $28,000 to his campaign. Hunt also received $5,000 from the Family Taxpayers Network. Richmond put in $10,913 of his own funds.

The GOP primary winner will face Democrat Mary Schneider in the general election.

Follow the cash

The money's rolling in for candidates in the Feb. 5 Republican primary election, as denoted by campaign finance reports filed this week for money received between July 1 and Dec. 31. Some of the biggest war chests:

Kane County Board chairman

Karen McConnaughay*

Amount raised: $43,470

Biggest donor: Local 150 International Union of Operating Engineers PAC: $12,000

Jim MacRunnels

Amount raised: $23,489

Biggest donor: himself and the Family Taxpayers Network (tie): $10,000 each

State representative, 49th District

Tim Schmitz*

Amount raised: $79,160

Biggest donor: Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois PAC: $14,000

Jim Krenz

Amount raised: $62,933

Biggest donor: Jack Roeser, president of Family Taxpayers Network: $15,000

* Denotes incumbent

Source: Illinois State Board of Elections