Cheri Bustos Insider

Father, Paul Simon's Chief of Staff

Knew Dick Durbin's Family as a kid

PAR Intern for Lee Enterprises

The Times Record questioned Bustos's Connections


Bustos and Federal Healthcare
After Journalism, Bustos worked in public relations for HIS Health Systems

Concerned with keeping medicare patients on health plan

With Illinois's proposed statewide system, Bustos thinks she can be an asset in DC.
Alderman Career
Represented 4
th
Ward East Moline

Elected in 2007

Raising money for non-profits

Critics point to spending half a million dollars on streets

Unemployment rose three points in her ward

Bustos Campaign
Wanted a grass roots campaign

Focused on jobs and family to get her message across

Manufacturing was highlighted

Party Leaders supported Bustos even before the primary

Bustos Race
Raised 1.5 Million dollars

If Boland stayed, things may have been different

Face several opponents ,but won primary by 58 percent

Went on a 14 county listening tour
First Quarter Spending for Bustos
She outspent Schilling by 100,000

Amount of raised money made the race national

Outspent Schilling 2 to 1 during the campaign

Schillings people questioned why Bustos didnt raise more
BUSTOS CONTRIBUTIONS
Received substantial funding from Emilys List

Received most of her support from outside groups

Not a local or state group giving money

People questioned the groups radical stance on abortion