The office of Illinois lieutenant governor is so inconsequential that in 1981 Dave O’Neal resigned rather than endure the drudgery of finishing his term.

Image Scott Lee Cohen Credit... Jose More/Chicago News Cooperative

Yet Scott Lee Cohen, a Chicago businessman, said this month that he was willing to spend up to $3 million of his money to win the office. It would be an unprecedented outlay for a position that mainly involves cutting ribbons, giving speeches and searching for political relevance.

Mr. Cohen said he saw the office  vacant since Patrick J. Quinn was elevated to governor in January  as a way to prompt job creation and “get things done I couldn’t do as a private citizen.”