Crowder raises more than $63k in first half of '06

Madison County Associate Judge Barbara Crowder raised $63,240 in the first half of 2006, according to records filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections July 27.

Crowder is running for the seat vacated by Circuit Judge George Moran, Jr. who retired in January. The Illinois Supreme Court appointed retired Associate Judge Lola Maddox to fill the remainder of Moran's term. Crowder will face fellow Associate Judge James Hackett in November for the post.

The largest contribution to Crowder, the presiding judge in the family division, came from Goldenberg Heller Antognoli Rowland Short & Gori, at $3,000.

The next largest, $1,000 came from Evelyn Bowles, the chairman of Crowder's campaign, with The Lakin Law Firm coming in third with a $750 donation.

Transfers-in to Crowder came from Friends of Matt Melucci, Committee to Elect Jay Hoffman, Friends of Rick Faccin Campaign, Godfrey Democratic Committee, Edwardsville Township Democratic Committeemen, and the largest, $600, came from Iron Workers Local 392 PAC.

Some of the lawyers donating to Crowder include, Jeff Hebrank, Gordon Broom, Lance Mallon, Lance Callis, Barry Julian, Rex Carr, Morris Chapman, Judy Cates, Charles Chapman and Thomas Keefe.

SimmonsCooper provided an in-kind contribution of $200 for conducting a poll.

At the end of her reporting period, Crowder reported she had $42,049.29 on hand. Her biggest expense was $6,000 to Price Miner, her political consultants.

Madison County Circuit Clerk Matt Melucci reported he raised $18,200. His largest contributor was SimmonsCooper with a donation of $1,000. He has $9,532.62 remaining in his coffers.

The Madison County Central Democratic Committee reported it raised $51,900.79 plus an additional $15,698.06 from in-kind contributions. At the end of the last reporting period, it had $42,311.10.

Currently the county Democrats have $43,984.47 on hand. The committee spent $50,227.42 during the last six months.

Belleville mayor Mark Eckert reported he raised $29,770.96. He spent $11,678.11, and has $18,092.85 remaining for his bid to remain Belleville's mayor.

Eckert was appointed after Mark Kern was elected to serve as St. Clair County Board Chairman in 2004.