By By: The Associated Press
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wsiu/local-wsiu-930953.mp3
Illinois Public Radio's Amanda Vinicky explores donations to candidates from Legislative Leaders.
Chicago, IL – Illinois legislative candidates are spending big money, and they're getting most of it from just four people - the leaders of the General Assembly.
The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform says 10 legislative races have topped the $1 million mark in spending and several more are right on the edge.
The most expensive is a central Illinois race. Democratic Sen. Deanna Demuzio and Republican challenger Sam McCann have spent a combined $2.4 million.
The Campaign for Political Reform looked at the top 20 races and found that 63 percent of the money came from the leaders, the top Democrat and top Republican in each legislative chamber.
Interest groups donate to the leaders, who then get to decide which candidates they'll help with the money.
