Politics

The Illinois Governor's Race: The Money Game

The 2018 race for Illinois governor could be the most expensive in U.S. history. With nine months until election day, the five leading candidates have raised more than $136 million, already exceeding any other contest before in Illinois. Democrat J.B. Pritzker has spent over $34 million of his $49 million campaign chest in an attempt to win the Democratic nomination. And a once sleepy Republican race has seen shifting alliances in recent weeks, after billionaire Dick Uihlein gave $2.5 million to Gov. Bruce Rauner's challenger, Illinois House Rep. Jeanne Ives, who opposes abortion and rights for gay and transgender people.To track this money circus, ProPublica Illinois has created a graphic that will update with the latest fundraising information.

Democratic Gubernatorial Hopeful Biss Drops Running Mate Over Israel Stance

Northern Public Radio | By Tony Arnold

Published September 6, 2017 at 6:49 PM CDT

A Democrat running for Illinois governor is in search of a new running mate.

State Sen. Daniel Biss announced that he is dropping Chicago Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa from his ticket. They differed on the "B.D.S movement" -- which favors boycotting, divesting, or sanctioning Israel. Biss, who opposes it, says in a statement that Ramirez Rosa recently changed his position.

Biss’s selection of Ramirez Rosa last week prompted north-suburban U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, R-Deerfield, to withdraw his endorsement of Biss.

By selecting Ramirez Rosa, Biss was seen to be reaching out to the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party. Now they’re turning against him. The Chicago Democratic Socialists called Biss “cowardly” on Twitter.

Seven other Democrats running for governor.

This story was originally created for WBEZ.