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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.

Coalition Highlights Lack Of Female Governor Candidates

A website that popped up this month asks a question as its URL: arethereanywomenrunningforilgovernor.com.

It then very simply answers it with a bright red "NO." A group of professional women in the state are behind the effort to draw attention to the issue.

Among them is Kady McFadden. She helped create a new website to highlight the lack of women candidates for governor. 

McFadden calls the absence of females seeking the highest office in state government a glaring problem; she said it’s indicative of larger issues.

“We task the Democratic party leadership in our state to say - ‘What are you going to do to help address this problem? We know that out state is going to be stronger when the obstacles to running for office are lowered - we know our democracy is going to be stronger, so what is your plan to help remove those obstacles?’”

McFadden said the group behind the website will ultimately rally to try to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and support the Democratic nominee -- regardless of their gender.

McFadden said fundraising is a big obstacle that stops some from running for office.

Illinois is one of 23 states that has never had a woman hold the top office.

Rachel's reports currently focus on education and equity. She's also reported extensively on arts, community & diverse culture.
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