* Democratic gubernatorial candidate JB Pritzker gave his campaign fund $7 million today, his campaign just confirmed. I’d been hearing about this for much of the afternoon.

$7 million is still $43 million less than Gov. Rauner put into his own campaign fund a few months ago, but vastly more cash than any other Democratic hopeful has on hand or has immediate access to. The A-1 hasn’t been officially filed yet, but if you click here it appears they’re having some technical difficulties with the Board of Elections’ website.

Meanwhile, Democrat Bob Daiber’s campaign reported raising $49,410 during the quarter. He spent about $12K and had $37,530.17 on hand at the end of March.

*** UPDATE 1 *** That was quick…

“J.B. Pritzker’s decision to drop $7 million into his gubernatorial campaign is more proof that he wants to be Madigan’s financial muscle. His deposit comes after Pritzker gave Madigan over $1.2 million in 2016 to stop reform, and just a day after Pritzker met with Madigan insiders and revealed to the press that he’s been conversing with Madigan himself. J.B. Pritzker’s talks with Mike Madigan and secret meeting with Madigan insiders reveal his true colors. He will work for and strengthen the Chicago machine at all costs.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe

*** UPDATE 2 *** The Larry Dominick jab is a nice touch…

Please find below the statement from the Biss for Illinois campaign in reaction to reports that JB Pritzker has put $7 million into his campaign account this evening: “In the public eye, Mr. Pritzker talks about ‘progressiveness’ and ‘independence’ but if today taught us anything it’s that his campaign is more of the same. We’ve seen self-funding billionaires like Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner wreak havoc because of their accountability to no one but themselves. Illinoisans simply can’t afford four more years of the same.” Earlier today, it was reported Pritzker met with Larry Dominick, the Republican President of the Town of Cicero, who among other things has been under investigation for giving out government contracts in exchange for campaign contributions, groping and fondling multiple female employees, and repeatedly using racially derogatory terms for Latinos.

That response was sent yesterday, but I didn’t see it until Saturday.