SUAA donated more than $175,000 in political contributions, analysis shows

 The State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) donated more than $175,000 in political contributions to 163 candidates in 2012.
The State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) donated more than $175,000 in political contributions to 163 candidates in 2012.

The State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) second quarterly report reveals the committee donated more than $32,000 to political campaigns during the last 3 months of 2015, according to the State Board of Elections.

Between Oct. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2015, the SUAA received a total of $22,792 in individual contributions, of which $17, 942 was not itemized. The remaining $4,849 comprised of 22 individual contributions.

SUAA, in turn, donated $32,482.83 to various political campaigns, with the largest individual contribution of $1,200 being to Friends of Jason Barickman. Republican Sen. Barickman represents Dist. 53. The SUAA also donated $1,100 to Senate President John Cullerton’s campaign.

In 2012, the SUAA contributed over $175,000 to 163 candidates, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics.

Of the $176,205, $108,984 (61.9 percent) went to Democrat-affiliated candidates, while $66,072 (37.5 percent) was given to Republican candidates. The remaining $1,150 was donated to third party candidates.

The political action committee (PAC) also largely favored incumbents — 131 candidates received $149,380 (86.4 percent) for their re-election efforts, compared to $15,825 (9.2 percent) donated to candidates seeking 19 open seats and $7,600 (4.4 percent) split between 13 challengers.

Analyzing the data based on election results showed that $153,790 (89 percent) of the total contributed was donated to 137 candidates who eventually won their races. The organization donated $16,550 (9.6 percent) to 20 candidates who lost 2012 elections; $1,965 (1.1 percent) was spent on four politicians not up for election; and $500 (0.3 percent) was contributed to political efforts listed under “Others.”

Seven candidates received the highest amount contributed -- $5,111 -- including state Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). Rose represents District 51 and previously served as state representative for Illinois’ 110th district from 2003 to 2013. Rose earned 86,710 votes in the 2012 election, and his campaign raised a total of $312,200.

SUAA contributed to 102 House candidates’ campaigns and 57 Senate candidates. In addition, the PAC made contributions totaling $3,400 to four party committees: the Illinois Senate Democratic Victory Fund ($1,250); the House Republican Organization of Illinois ($1,000); the State Senate Campaign Committee of Illinois ($700); and the Illinois Democratic Party ($450).

Between 2008 and 2012, SUAA gave $446,850 in political contributions — $265,814 to Democratic candidates and committees; $174,887 to Republican campaigns; $1,150 to third party candidates; and $5,000 for ballot measures.

SUAA advocates on behalf of all retired and current faculty and staff of public universities and community colleges in Illinois, including their spouses and survivors, who are participants and beneficiaries of the State Universities Retirement System.

SUAA focuses on providing a unified effort designed to preserve and protect a strong public pension system, health care benefits and the general well-being of its membership.

The National Institute on Money in State Politics is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that aims to promote accountability by gathering information on campaign donations and lobbyists from government disclosure agencies around the country and providing it to the public at no charge.