WASHINGTON — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce bought $377,000 in television time in the Chicago market for a television spot starting Thursday touting Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.
A U.S. Chamber spokesman said the spot will run one week. A separate source provided the size of the ad buy.
Earlier this month, an environmental group, the Natural Resources Defense Council purchased $1 million in ads on Chicago broadcast and cable outlets attacking Kirk for a vote he made allowing states to opt out of federal rules dealing with power plants and the environment.
The ad, which blisters Kirk for “protecting polluters,” is the latest blast from environmental groups that want to keep pressure on Kirk as he faces what is likely going to be a tough re-election battle in 2016.
The chambers, which generally back Republicans, are not allowed to coordinate with the Kirk campaign. However, the 30-second ad tracks many of the Kirk themes that can easily be observed by anyone following his campaign.
Main messages of the spot: “Kirk is an independent leader fighting for Illinois” who is “bi-partisan,” a veteran and a protector of the Great Lakes.