SPRINGFIELD - Fifteen plaintiff law firms poured $1,695,850 into Democratic campaigns in October, records of the Illinois State Board of Elections show.
On top of contributions the firms provided from January through September, the party’s support from the lawyers added up to $3,420,686 through Oct. 30.
| LOCATION | 2018 | OCTOBER | SEPTEMBER | |
| TOTAL | $3,421,025 | $1,695,850 | $933,640 | |
| Cavanagh Law Group | Chicago | $156,550 | $38,800 | $89,000 |
| Clifford Law Offices | Chicago | $306,600 | $203,925 | $51,975 |
| Simmons Hanly Conroy | Alton | $491,040 | $214,825 | $119,815 |
| Cogan & Power | Chicago | $181,500 | $140,000 | $12,000 |
| Cooney & Conway | Chicago | $169,950 | $105,950 | $5,000 |
| Corboy & Demetrio | Chicago | $361,700 | $303,000 | $0 |
| Gori, Julian & Associates | Edwardsville | $449,574 | $333,000 | $34,500 |
| Hurley McKenna & Mertz | Chicago | $156,300 | $61,000 | $89,000 |
| Keefe, Keefe & Unsell | Belleville | $34,275 | $18,225 | $15,300 |
| Levin & Perconti | Chicago | $164,000 | $61,000 | $89,000 |
| Meyers & Flowers | Saint Charles | $182,500 | $50,900 | $89,000 |
| Power Rogers & Smith PC | Chicago | $237,061 | $25,000 | $89,500 |
| Romanucci & Blandin | Chicago | $177,200 | $62,500 | $90,200 |
| Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard | Waukegan | $213,875 | $27,825 | $70,350 |
| Wise Morrissey Kaveny | Chicago | $138,900 | $49,900 | $49,900 |
The lawyers provided direct support to candidates and indirect support through party committees.
On Oct. 30, the Madison County asbestos firms of Randy Gori and John Simmons each gave $75,000 to Friends of Michael J. Madigan.
Robert Clifford’s class action firm in Chicago matched them.
Also on Oct. 30, Gori, Simmons, and Clifford each gave $22,200 to the Democratic Party of Illinois. They each gave $22,200 to Democratic Majority.
Democratic Majority also received $22,000 each from the asbestos firm of Cooney and Conway and the firm of Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard, both in Chicago.
Earlier in October, Friends of Michael J. Madigan received $29,500 from Gori, $25,000 from Cogan and Power of Chicago, and $10,000 from Corboy and Demetrio of Chicago.
Corboy and Demetrio gave $22,200 to Democratic Majority and $10,000 to the Alliance of Illinois Taxpayers.
Cooney and Conway, Corboy and Demetrio, and Gori each gave $22,200 to Illinois Democratic Heartland Committee.
Corboy and Demetrio, Gori, and Cogan and Power each gave $22,200 to Senate Democratic Victory Fund.
Power Rogers and Smith of Chicago gave $25,000 to attorney general candidate Kwame Raoul on Oct. 23, with Simmons and Gori each providing $10,000.
The lawyers also gave strong support to four incumbent representatives, three from Metro East and one from the southeastern corner of the state.
Rep. Natalie Phelps Finnie (D-Elizabethtown) received the most among the four, with 12 firms giving her a total of $105,825.
Republican Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis challenges her in the 118 District.
Ten firms gave Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) a total of $100,050.
Republican Mike Babcock of Bethalto challenges her in the 111 District.
Eight firms gave Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Red Bud) a total of $88,800.
Republican David Friess of Red Bud challenges him in the 116 District.
Six firms gave Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Collinsville) a total of $66,600.
Republican Dwight Kay of Glen Carbon challenges her in the 112th District.
The lawyers also backed six candidates challenging incumbents.
Six firms gave $60,500 to Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn, challenging Rep. Peter Breen of Lombard in the 48th District.
Six firms gave $56,000 to Joyce Mason of Gurnee, challenging Rep. Sheri Jesiel of Lake Villa in the 61st District.
Six firms gave $56,000 to Mica Carnahan-Freeman of Plainfield, challenging Rep. Mark Batinick of Plainfield in the 97th District.
Five firms gave $49,400 to Maggie Trevor of Rolling Meadows, challenging Rep. Tom Morrison of Palatine in the 54th District.
Six firms gave $45,000 to Lisa Dugan of Bradley, challenging Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst of Kankakee in the 79th District.
Seven firms gave $38,500 to Diana Pappas of Itasca, challenging Rep. Christine Winger of Wooddale in the 45th District.
The firms also backed four candidates for open seats.
Six firms gave $66,600 to Daniel Dedich of Buffalo Grove, opposing Karen Feldman of Lincolnshire in the 59th District.
Six firms gave $60,500 to Karina Villa of West Chicago, opposing Tonia Khouri of Aurora in the 49th District.
Five firms gave $49,400 to Kathleen Carrier of Carol Stream, opposing Amy Grant of Wheaton in the 42nd District.
Five firms gave $38,000 to Mark Walker of Arlington Heights, opposing Eddie Corrigan of Arlington Heights in the 53rd District.