More Cash In Hinsdale D86 Race Than In 2021

HINSDALE, IL – Candidates for the Hinsdale High School District 86 board in Tuesday's election appear to have raised more money than their predecessors two years ago.

In 2021, District 86 saw a correlation between money raised and success in the election.

That year, the four winners raised a combined $45,000, compared with a reported $70,000 this year.

The top vote-getters last time, Jeff Waters and Peggy James, who ran as a team, pulled in nearly $32,000.

The third and fourth finishers, Debbie Levinthal and Terri Walker, also campaigning as a team, raised $13,000.

None of the other six candidates in 2021 raised even $5,000, the trigger for reporting to the state elections board.

In Tuesday's election, the candidates are Asma Akhras, Andrew Catton, Kay Gallo, Catherine Greenspon and Deborah Willoughby. They are vying for three seats, which incumbents are vacating.

This year's quarterly reports are due April 17. But candidates must report donations of $1,000 or more within a couple of days. Catton, Gallo and Greenspon have done so.

On Facebook, District 86 resident Yvonne Mayer asked candidates how much they have raised and spent this election cycle.

In response, Akhras said she has raised about $25,000, which would be the highest amount among the candidates. None of the contributions, she said, are $1,000 or more.

"I have not received any money from any group, union, political organization or other (political action committee)," she said on Facebook.

Greenspon said she has raised about $18,000, including $6,500 of in-kind donations. None of the money is coming from groups, she said.

"I think I've spent to near depletion," Greenspon said.

On Sunday, Gallo turned in her financial report to the state elections board ahead of time. She has spent $13,300 and spent $10,500 as of March 31, according to the report. All the donations are from individuals.

Catton told Mayer that he has raised about $13,000 and spent $15,000.

Willoughby apparently did not answer Mayer's question. Patch left a message for comment with Willoughby.

Patch reported on candidates' donations of $1,000 or more last week.