Funding cap lifted with $250K contribution in state’s attorney race

Former state and federal prosecutor Donna More on Friday lifted the cap on donations to candidates in the Cook County state’s attorney’s Democratic primary race by making a $250,000 contribution to her own campaign.

Incumbent Anita Alvarez, who has come under fire for her handling of the Laquan McDonald police shooting investigation, will face More and Kim Foxx, a former assistant state’s attorney who was chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

More is a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP and is an Illinois Gaming Board attorney.

She contributed $250,000 to her campaign on Friday, according to filings with the Illinois State Board of Elections. That made her what is known as a “self-funding candidate” under the law — and eliminated the cap on donations to any candidates in that race.

Before Friday, her family — specifically, her husband and mother — had donated a total of $99,000 to the campaign. Once donations by a candidate or their family to a campaign reach $100,000, that candidate becomes “self-funding” under the law, which means donation limits are no longer in effect. Those limits would have been $5,400 for individuals, $10,800 for corporations or unions and $53,900 for political action committees.

More’s campaign on Friday called the contribution “no big deal.”

“She’s putting her own skin in the campaign because she clearly wants to show the importance of this race, how important this race is to her and to the voters and residents of this county,” her spokesman John E. Davis said.

More also was criticized for contributing to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign. In a post on her website this week, she wrote that she now regrets the contribution “not because my political opponents have seized on it, but because Governor Rauner has fallen far short of my expectations.”

In the post, More called herself a “lifelong, independent-minded Democrat.”

Earlier this week Foxx received the endorsement of a coalition of African-American elected officials representing city, county and state government. Standing with Foxx were some 20 officials, including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and City Treasurer Kurt Summers.

“No one will be able to buy this election, no matter how much of their personal wealth they are willing to put in to their campaign,” Foxx spokeswoman Joanna Klonsky said. “Cook County residents will be the ones to decide which candidate is equipped to provide the leadership to bring about the transformation our justice system so urgently needs on March 15.”

Alvarez’s campaign spokesman said the campaign isn’t on her mind.

“Anita is not thinking about politics right now. There will be a time for campaigning, but for now, she is focused on doing her job,” Ken Snyder said.

Contributing: Dan Mihalopoulos