WASHINGTON - Members of Illinois' congressional delegation, no matter their party affiliation, head into the final weeks of the election season with huge money leads over their challengers, even in races long considered competitive.
Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat, had $6.5 million as of Oct. 1, against the $1 million of Republican rival Steven Sauerberg, according to the latest quarterly reports filed this week with the Federal Election Commission.
In the five-plus years of his current election cycle, Durbin has raised about $10 million, while his opponent, who faced a contested primary, took in $1.5 million. While the two-term senator's money came from many individuals and groups, physician Sauerberg has relied heavily on personal assets, loaning his campaign $1.3 million.
At the start of the month, Sauerberg could have decided whether to pour the $1 million remaining from his own loan into the race or hold back at much of it, knowing he has had virtually no support from Republican Party leaders, either nationally or in Illinois.
Sauerberg spokesman Chris Barron did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday but has repeatedly said the doctor is prepared to spend what it takes to beat Durbin.
Durbin declined comment Thursday.
In some truly competitive races, Republicans are doing much better, at least with money.
And that may be what it takes to prevent being swept aside in an expected Democratic assault at the polls with Illinois' other Democratic senator, Barack Obama, running with the chance to become the first president from Illinois since Abraham Lincoln.
In a rematch from two years ago, GOP Rep. Mark Kirk has trounced Democrat Dan Seals when it comes to his Oct. 1 cash balance, having $1.8 million to about $240,000 for his challenger.
As a little-known consultant, Seals lost to Kirk 53 percent to 47 percent in 2006, with only last-minute help from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee when it became obvious he might have a realistic chance to win. Now he is expected to benefit from much more assistance from national party committees in the final weeks.
Another suburban battleground features Republican Rep. Peter Roskam against Democrat Jill Morgenthaler. The freshman lawmaker had $1 million to $161,000 for the political newcomer and former aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
For the seat held by retiring GOP Rep. Ray LaHood, the Republican candidate, state Rep. Aaron Schock, grabbed a lead of $466,000 to Democrat Colleen Callahan's $55,000. President Bush assisted his fundraising in part with a personal visit in July.
Another open seat, represented by retiring Republican Jerry Weller for 14 years, has Democrat Debbie Halvorson with perhaps a tentative dollar lead over wealthy businessman Marty Ozinga.
The Illinois Senate's majority leader, Halvorson had about $274,000 to Ozinga's $176,000. Besides his own fortune, Ozinga also has since had a $500-a-ticket fundraiser that was to include Vice President Dick Cheney until he had a health problem.
Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Melissa Bean's challenger, GOP businessman Steve Greenberg, is having problems raising cash to wage a campaign against the two-term lawmaker once considered one of the Republican Party's best targets for defeat.
Greenberg had $45,000, Bean $1 million.