Jim Thacker, the man who made his reputation managing Congressman Don Manzullo’s 1992 campaigns for congress and built on it in 1996 when State Rep. Al Salvi beat Lt. Gov. Bob Kustra in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, was paid “at least $108,120” working Rockford-centered political campaigns during the last twelve months.

That’s what Rockford Register-Star Springfield reporter Aaron Chambers found when he searched state and federal campaign disclosure records.

Here’s the short of it:

• $42,000 from Chuck Prorok’s campaign for Winnebago County state’s attorney,
• $22,000 from Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey’s campaign,
• $10,200 from Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen’s campaign,
• $4,000 for Mike Hakanson’s campaign for Winnebago County auditor, and
• $29,920 from Don Manzullo’s congressional campaign.

Chambers reports that “Thacker was heavily involved in the campaign to implement a 1-cent sales tax for roads within the city of Rockford,” but does not indicate he was paid for the effort.

When he managed Manzullo’s 1992 campaign, he was also managing the Arrowhead Apartments in Algonquin.