Real Estate Donors to Influence November 3 Elections

Industry players have contributed $8.3 million to candidates seeking office in the upcoming Illinois general election.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Commercial

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a government building facade, evoking the systemic influence of campaign finance in Illinois. — Real estate industry groups have funneled $8.3 million into Illinois political races, targeting Chicago school board and state legislative seats. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should real estate industry money have a significant influence on your local school board election?

Real estate industry interests have funneled $8.3 million into Illinois political campaigns since the March 17 primary. These funds are supporting candidates in both the state legislature and the inaugural Chicago Public Schools board election.

Why it matters

The heavy investment reflects an effort by the real estate sector to shape local educational policies and influence commercial property legislation in Springfield. Donors are leveraging PACs to secure outcomes that align with their long-term industry interests.

Real estate donors provided $471,400 to state legislative candidates and $18,331 to candidate Darby Hills since the primary. The Illinois Realtors PAC also recorded $541,225 in direct contributions for the general election.

The players

Michael Sacks

He is an influential donor who provided $6.9 million to the Common Ground Collective for school board races.

Darby Hills

She is a candidate for the school board who received $18,331 in real estate donations and support from the Illinois Realtors Fund.

Nikki Budzinski

She is a Representative who received $98,046 in campaign contributions from real estate donors since the primary.

Illinois Realtors PAC

This political action committee directs industry funds toward legislative candidates and direct general election contributions.

Common Ground Collective

This group is a major conduit for election spending, focused heavily on the Chicago Public Schools board races.

The details

Donors are channeling significant resources through the Common Ground Collective, which has spent $7 million on the Chicago school board races alone. Michael Sacks contributed $6.9 million to this collective to sway the results of the board election.

March 17, 2026: Date of the primary election.
November 3, 2026: Date of the general election.

Culture Shift

The massive influx of capital into local education races marks a departure from traditional industry lobbying toward direct intervention in school board governance. This trend reflects an increasing prioritization of local administrative control as a pillar of commercial and civic influence.

Voters should be aware that significant funding from property-related PACs is actively shaping the platforms of candidates for the Chicago school board. These donations may affect how future local policies regarding property taxes and educational resource allocation are prioritized.

The takeaway

The unprecedented spending in the Chicago school board election underscores the high stakes for the real estate industry in local governance. Residents should monitor how these financial contributors align with the winning candidates' eventual voting records on school policy.