Kirk gets $3.4 million campaign boost from Republican committee

Mark Kirk's campaign Friday confirmed that the National Republican Senatorial Committee will be committing major funds toward his Senate bid.

The committee plans to give Kirk, of Highland Park, $3.4 million in the race against Chicago Democrat Alexi Giannoulias - double the amount usually allowed. The Politico website reported that the committee indicated it would take advantage of a technical ruling in order to commit that much money to the race.

U.S. Judge John Grady has ordered two separate elections on the November ballot for the Senate seat, formerly President Barack Obama's.

The winner of the regular election will serve a six-year term. The winner of the special election will serve from November through January.

The fundraising boost looks to create even more of a disparity in the size of Kirk and Giannoulias' war chests.

Second quarter financial reports, released in July, revealed Giannoulias trailing millions behind Kirk in terms of fundraising dollars.