Host committee for Chicago's DNC spent $89 million on convention, raised $97 million

WASHINGTON — The host committee for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago raised $97 million in cash or in-kind contributions and has spent more than $83 million — with Gov. JB Pritzker and his relatives, unions and Democratic groups among the biggest donors, according to the committee's first report filed with the Federal Election Commission late Wednesday.

The report from the Development Now for Chicago, the host committee's official name, also states the committee has about $14 million cash-on-hand with some $6.3 million in bills still outstanding from the August presidential convention nominating Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Committee spokesperson Natalie Edelstein told the Sun-Times that any money remaining after all the bills and payroll costs are paid will be donated to still undetermined "charitable organizations."

Under FEC rules, a host committee does not have to file any disclosures about donors or disbursements before the convention, but must release financial details no later than 60 days after the last convention session.

Most of the donations were in cash, with in-kind gifts mainly covering travel and lodging costs. Chicago's Eli's Cheesecakes made a $33,645 in-kind contribution that included a giant convention-themed cheesecake featured at one of the convention welcome parties at Navy Pier. Chicago-based Molson Coors contributed $353,000 in beverages.

In the campaign to land the convention at the United Center, Pritzker, a billionaire, had signaled he would help the host committee and became one of its top contributors, sending money from several entities.

His campaign fund made a $126,543 in-kind contribution for travel and lodging. Pritzker directly gave $2.6 million. His Jay Robert Pritzker Revokable Trust contributed $5.6 million

Also among the top contributors: