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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.

Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar Proposes 'New Deal' For Illinois

A Democratic candidate for governor says he wants to help Illinois’ working class, particularly those living downstate.

Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar’s priorities include a so-called “New Deal” for Illinois.  The idea is framed after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s infrastructure projects that followed the Great Depression.

“I know right here in Peoria, there’s about a billion dollars worth of lock and dam work," he said. "So, we have an opportunity to not only build out our intermodal facilities, but also do ecological and wildlife restoration and lock and dam work.”

Pawar also said he favors a progressive tax structure. 

“But there are other things we can do as well. If we want to cut costs and cut the prison population, then let’s legalize and properly regulate the sale of marijuana. So you generate revenue, but you solve a social problem while you’re doing it."

The 47th Ward Chicago Alderman made the comments at a Peoria immigrant rights rally Sunday.