A majority of Illinois politicians collected union funds, according to a recent study. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
A majority of Illinois politicians collected union funds, according to a recent study. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
A recent Illinois Policy Institute analysis revealed that of all union donations made to legislators in Springfield over a 12-year period, 88 percent was allotted to Democrats, with House Speaker Mike Madigan himself obtaining the lion’s share.
The institute found that most of the contributions from five of Illinois’ largest unions were funneled to Democrats between 2002 and 2014.
Madigan, it noted, did not particularly need the amount — exceeding $1.1 million — which he received, given his relatively secure position with little challenge from opponents in election years.
As capital continued to build Madigan’s coffers, it cushioned his ability to control the General Assembly by allowing him to distribute extra funds to the Democratic Party of Illinois, which in turn shared the cash with Democrats statewide.
Democratic state Rep. Mike Smiddy also accepted help from five major unions during elections — including his own union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Giving the candidate $165,700, AFSCME later stated that it not only played a big role in Smiddy’s win, but also that Smiddy was in complete agreement with all its policies pertaining to pensions.
In 2012, Smiddy’s election opponent, Rich Morthland (R-Cordova), said that the public unions’ supporting Smiddy “were clearly a special interest,” stating that the unions “are clearly trying to secure a representative to do their bidding.”
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