How $125 million was spent in key Illinois primary races

Illinois Democrats ushered in a new generation of lawmakers Tuesday night, picking five new nominees for Congress in open seats that are favored to remain in Democratic hands this fall.

But it came at the end of a messy, expensive primary season: About $125 million was spent across five competitive races for open U.S. Senate and House seats.

That kind of crowded, high-stakes action isn't typical for Illinois, a state better known for its machine politics than wide-open contests.

But an unusually high number of congressional retirements opened up seats, bringing in a flood of candidates – and money.