Findings
Things worth a look on the 2026 candidates' campaign reports, checked against the Illinois Election Code. Each one quotes the rule it rests on and says what to check, including exceptions the reports can't show. They're prompts to look closer at public records, not conclusions.
In 2026, 67 of 321 candidates have something worth a look on their reports.
How the money was spent
Payments to the candidate, their home, and things the law restricts campaign money for.
Where the money came from
Sources over the contribution limit, contributions from abroad, and campaigns carried by party money.
Reporting
Reports and notices filed late or missing, and donor details left out.
← All findings · Include context (184 more)
Worth a look Missing details · Neil Anderson State Senator District 47
12 payments ($11,802) with no purpose given, $11,802 of it to the candidate or family
Every itemized payment on a report must say what it was for. These leave it blank. Payments to the candidate or their family are allowed only as pay for work they did, so a payment to them with no purpose is worth asking about.
What to check- The committee may have amended the report to add the purposes.
- Whether each payment is a reimbursement, pay for work, repayment of a loan the candidate made to the campaign, or something else.
The entries (12)
| Name | Who | Date | Amount |
|---|
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-10-03 | $1,603 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-04-15 | $1,485 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-09-05 | $1,369 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-03-03 | $1,220 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-07-07 | $1,187 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-02-03 | $1,149 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-08-04 | $1,034 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-05-06 | $662 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-01-02 | $565 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-06-11 | $558 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-11-04 | $545 |
| Neil Anderson | the candidate | 2025-12-02 | $425 |
Rule: Payments with no purpose given
“the full name and mailing address of each person to whom expenditures have been made by the committee or candidate within the reporting period in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150; the amount, date, and purpose of each of those expenditures”10 ILCS 5/9-11(a)(12) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work
Worth a look Missing details · Justin Cochran State Representative District 55
4 payments ($3,455) with no purpose given, $3,455 of it to the candidate or family
Every itemized payment on a report must say what it was for. These leave it blank. Payments to the candidate or their family are allowed only as pay for work they did, so a payment to them with no purpose is worth asking about.
What to check- The committee may have amended the report to add the purposes.
- Whether each payment is a reimbursement, pay for work, repayment of a loan the candidate made to the campaign, or something else.
The entries (4)
| Name | Who | Date | Amount |
|---|
| Justin Cochran | the candidate | 2025-12-08 | $1,000 |
| Justin Cochran | the candidate | 2025-12-26 | $1,000 |
| Justin Cochran | the candidate | 2026-02-08 | $955 |
| Justin Cochran | the candidate | 2026-01-04 | $500 |
Rule: Payments with no purpose given
“the full name and mailing address of each person to whom expenditures have been made by the committee or candidate within the reporting period in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150; the amount, date, and purpose of each of those expenditures”10 ILCS 5/9-11(a)(12) ✓ quoted from the saved copy · how findings work