Wally Frasier outspent rivals in Mundelein’s mayoral race, financial reports show
Mundelein mayoral candidate Wally Frasier significantly outraised and outspent his two opponents in the months leading up to last week’s election, state financial records show, but he still finished second.
Frasier raised $14,658 in the first three months of the year, according to a disclosure report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections. He spent an estimated $8,706 during the same period.
In contrast, Mayor-elect Steve Lentz’s campaign committee reported raising $3,534 and spending about $3,204 during the same period. The committee for Lentz’s full Pro Mundelein slate raised $899 and spent less than $1,248 between Jan. 1 and March 31, records show.
The third candidate in the mayor’s race, Trustee Robin Meier, didn’t file a quarterly report. She said she didn’t raise or spend enough cash to meet a minimum threshold.
Municipal candidates who raise or spend at least $3,000 must file quarterly financial disclosure reports with the state board of elections. They must also file individual reports for donations of $1,000 or more.
Donations of less than $150 do not need to be itemized.
The documents are public and viewable online at elections.state.il.us.
Lentz will replace incumbent Mayor Kenneth H. Kessler, who didn’t run for a third term. He’s expected to take office May 13.
Frasier, a longtime park district commissioner and a former police chief, reported $5,550 in itemized contributions and $7,408 in other donations.
Notable supporters included: Bill’s Pizza and Pub, which gave $300; Kristan Funeral Home, which gave $250; Mundelein Trustee Ed Sullivan and his wife, Barbara, who gave $500.
The Steve Lentz for Mayor committee reported $1,550 in itemized contributions from five sources, including members of the Lentz family, and $1,184 in smaller donations.
The Pro Mundelein campaign reported $650 in itemized donations from three sources and $249 in smaller checks.
Among the identified donors was mortician Kevin Kristan, whose family owns the funeral home that also cut a check to Frasier’s campaign. Kristan gave the Pro Mundelein group $150, records show.
The candidates’ reports do not necessarily show all the money raised or spent during the campaign. Future filings will detail transactions that have occurred since April 1.