Top Illinois Donors to Outside Groups Influencing Obama, Romney race

Outside political groups are spending millions of dollars for and against President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney or other Democratic or Republican candidates and causes. Here’s a listing of major Illinois donors to outside spending groups, according to an analysis by OpenSecrets.com as of Oct. 1. This includes SuperPacs and Independent Expenditure groups.

I included Joe Ricketts because his family owns the Chicago Cubs. The family is divided politically; the senior Ricketts is boosting Romney; his daughter, Laura, is a major Obama backer. Muneer Satter is also the Illinois Finance Director for the Romney campaign and departed from Goldman Sachs earlier this year.

The number is where the individual stands in the OpenSecrets ranking of top mega-donors. The L or C stands for where the donor gives, liberal or conservative groups.

Top Individuals Funding Outside Spending Groups

7Eychaner, Fred

Chicago, ILNewsweb Corp

$3,250,000L

21Griffin, Kenneth C. & Anne Dias

Chicago, ILCitadel Invest Group/Aragon Global Mgt

$2,080,000C

26Ricketts, John Joe

Omaha, NEHugo Enterprises

$1,485,000C

34Uihlein, Richard

Lake Forest, ILUline Inc

$1,185,000C

36Hayden, Jerry L. & Marilyn J.

Barrington, ILRetired

$1,035,000C

77Satter, Muneer

Winnetka, ILGoldman Sachs

$525,000C

82Duchossois, Janet J.

Oak Brook, ILDuchossois Group

$500,000C