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The 2018 race for Illinois governor could be the most expensive in U.S. history. With nine months until election day, the five leading candidates have raised more than $136 million, already exceeding any other contest before in Illinois. Democrat J.B. Pritzker has spent over $34 million of his $49 million campaign chest in an attempt to win the Democratic nomination. And a once sleepy Republican race has seen shifting alliances in recent weeks, after billionaire Dick Uihlein gave $2.5 million to Gov. Bruce Rauner's challenger, Illinois House Rep. Jeanne Ives, who opposes abortion and rights for gay and transgender people.To track this money circus, ProPublica Illinois has created a graphic that will update with the latest fundraising information.

Campaign Donation Limits Lifted In Illinois Governor's Race

Flickr user Daniel Borman / "Money, Money, Money" (CC BY 2.0)

The limits are lifted on spending in next year's Illinois governor's race after Democratic businessman Chris Kennedy put more than $250,000 into his campaign fund.

The move signals another big spending campaign among incumbent Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats challenging him. Illinois law says standard limits on campaign donations are lifted when a candidate in a statewide race gives themselves more than $250,000.

Illinois campaign disclosure records show Kennedy contributed $250,100 to his Kennedy for Illinois fund on Friday.

Rauner is a wealthy former private equity investor. He put $50 million into his re-election campaign fund last year.

Other Democrats in the race include Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar, regional schools Superintendent Bob Daiber and small business owner Alex Paterakis. 

Billionaire businessman J.B. Pritzker also has formed a campaign committee to explore a bid.

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