Greenberg trails Bean in fundraising race

Suburban congressional hopeful Steve Greenberg's fundraising efforts continue to lag far behind those of his Democratic opponent in the 8th House District race, new records show.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, a two-term incumbent from Barrington, collected more than $423,158 in donations between April 1 and June 30, according to Federal Election Commission disclosure reports. That's nearly double what Greenberg, a first-time candidate from Long Grove, raised during the same period.

Greenberg's campaign pulled in an estimated $234,325 during those three months, his FEC reports show. He ended the quarter with $104,691 in his political war chest - dramatically less than Bean's savings of more than $1.5 million.

Greenberg also ended the period an estimated $118,298 in debt - a sum that would erase his team's savings if his markers were called in today.

In contrast, Bean owed only $17,800 to creditors at the end of June, reports show.

Despite the disparity, Greenberg campaign manager Collin Corbett said his team's fundraising efforts are "right on schedule."

"We're really excited about the direction we're going," said Corbett, who took over the campaign team in April.

The 8th District includes parts of Lake, Cook and McHenry counties. The seat carries a 2-year term.

Since the campaign cycle began in early 2007, Bean has collected nearly $2.7 million from supporters.

"I appreciate the broad base of support I've received from the families, businesses and communities I represent, and I'm working hard to address their concerns in Washington," Bean said through a spokesman.

Greenberg received about $678,231 during the same period - roughly 25 percent of Bean's total.

This quarter was Greenberg's most successful, in terms of dollars collected. Corbett attributed the burst to Greenberg's door-to-door campaigning.

The number of volunteers working for Greenberg has increased, too, Corbett said.

"Slowly, things are increasing and people are getting excited about Steve and what he brings to the table," Corbett said.

But will Greenberg have the money for TV or radio ads, costly staples of modern congressional campaigning?

Corbett declined to say whether Greenberg would be taking their fight to the airwaves but said they will have the funding "to get our message out there."

Bean ran TV and radio spots during her successful 2006 campaign against GOP challenger David McSweeney. Although a Bean spokesman declined to say whether such ads will be used this year, the new FEC reports indicate her campaign should have the cash to produce them.

"We're on place to be where we planned to be," Bean spokesman Jonathan Lipman said.

Bean received support last quarter from dozens of donors, including:

•Playboy Enterprises CEO Christi Hefner, who gave $1,000.

•Crate & Barrel CEO Gordon Segal, who gave $500.

•Richard F. Syron, chairman and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., commonly known as Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., who gave $1,000.

•John W. Thompson, CEO of Internet-security giant Symantec, who gave $500.

Greenberg, a businessman and former minor-league hockey player, received donations from backers including:

•McHenry County State's Attorney Louis A. Bianchi, who gave $150.

•State Rep. Mark Beaubien of Barrington Hills, who gave $2,000.

•Republican activist and former Fox Lake mayor William C. Dam, who gave $150.

•Former Cook County Republican Party Chairman Gary Skoien, who gave $500.

•Real-estate magnate and Tribune Co. owner Sam Zell, who gave $1,000.

The full reports are available online at www.fec.gov.