Cohen raises more than $1 million in lieutenant governor race

SPRINGFIELD - Chicago businessman Scott Lee Cohen pledged he'd spend $3 million to secure the nomination for lieutenant governor, but so far the Democrat has spent less than a third of that amount.

Still, Cohen easily outspent all of his Democratic competitors, racking up $985,362 in total expenditures.

Since July 1, Cohen's campaign reported taking in $1,245,516. His candidacy is largely self financed. Cohen already has loaned his campaign more than a million dollars.

Cohen's financing easily outpaces the rest of the Democratic field, as well as any of the Republicans seeking the nomination.

Since July 1, state Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan is the second biggest fundraiser in the Democratic field, taking in $240,800.

State Rep. Art Turner of Chicago has brought in $154,405.

State Sen. Rickey Hendon of Chicago brought in $75,044. State Rep. Mike Boland of East Moline raised $31,473. Trailing the five other Democratic contenders is electrical worker Thomas Castillo of Elmhurst, who raised $12,910.

Springfield attorney Don Tracy and former Madison County Republican Party Chairman Jason Plummer lead the Republican field in total receipts, largely due to tapping their own bank accounts and family businesses to help finance their ambitions.

Since July 1, Tracy has brought in $668,590 and Plummer has raised $658,390. Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole brought in $62,590, state Sen. Matt Murphy raised $22,929, Randy White of Hamilton raised $19,170 and Orland Park's Dennis Cook secured $16,215.

The lieutenant governor's post has few formal responsibilities, but is next in line to lead the state if the governor leaves office. By statute, the lieutenant governor also chairs the governor's Rural Affairs Council, River Coordinating Council, Rural Bond Bank of Illinois and the Illinois Main Street Program.