More than 10 percent of the nearly $400 million filtered into Illinois through specialized Congressional requests, commonly known as earmarks, had U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello's name attached.

The Belleville Democrat helped add more than $45 million for projects in his district to the series of bills that create the nation's annual spending plan during the current fiscal year.

Included in that total was upward of $9.4 million in defense contracts granted to companies in the Metro East area and Marion. Executives, employees and lobbyists for all three firms have donated funds to the congressman's campaign efforts through the years, but Costello and another local political expert say such donations may not be out of the ordinary.

Olin Corp., a Clayton, Mo.-based chemical and ammunition company with a division in East Alton, received two earmarked contracts. One, valued at $1.6 million, was split with the University of Iowa Telemedicine and Advanced Research Center and Luvata Franklin, a Kentucky-based manufacturing firm.

Two other congressmen, Dave Loebsack of Iowa and Edward Whitfield, and three senators, Thad Cochran and Trent Lott of Mississippi and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, co-sponsored the initial $2 million request to be used "to evaluate improvements to indoor air quality and energy efficiency through the use of antifungal copper and copper alloys in air-handling systems," according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan research organization in Washington, D.C.

Olin Corp. also received a second earmark with Costello's support, but this one originated as a request from a slew of U.S. senators, including Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin. Costello and a number of other Congressmen piggybacked on the request, earning Olin Corp. an additional $3 million for its "copper antimicrobial research program.

Jeff Haferkamp, identified as an Olin executive, donated $400 to Costello's campaign in February, while the company's political action committee has given Costello $4,500 since 1998, according to a database compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. Denny Miller, president of a lobbying firm hired by Olin, has also contributed $2,500 to the congressman since 2005.

Costello, along with Republican Illinois Congressman Ray LaHood, also worked with Durbin to secure a $3.2 million defense contract for General Dynamics, a Virginia-based company with a munitions plant in Marion, for production of high explosive air burst ammunition.

General Dynamics' PAC has given $18,000 to Costello's campaign since 2002, including a $5,000 donation already in 2008. Consultants and the PAC for the PMA Group, one of the lobbying firms hired by General Dynamics, have also contributed $9,150 to the Congressman's campaign since 2000.

Costello's final defense contract this year was a $1.6 million earmark to Magnesium Elektron, based in Manchester, England, which operates a division in Madison. The money, which was also requested by Durbin, was to allow the company to develop ultra-lightweight military armor that will "help the Army meet operational weight requirements while better protecting our soldiers," according to a November 2007 press release from Costello's office.

Chris and Lee Barnes, both identified as executives at Magnesium Elektron, have donated a combined $1,350 to Costello's campaign since 2000, with $600 of the donations coming in 2007. Theodore Lynch, an executive of the lobbying firm used by the company, also donated $1,500 last year.

While it's become common practice for people to associate campaign contributions and earmarks as a form of kickback, Mike Lawrence, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, didn't notice anything unusual from a short review of the donations.

"This doesn't strike me as extraordinary," he said, adding there are companies that try to use donations and leverage and politicians who have upset them.

"It's not unusual for congressmen to receive donations from companies and employees who are asking for favorable business from Congress," Lawrence said. "In some cases, people in corporations donate to candidates in the expectation they will receive favorable treatment. There are a lot of public officials who have made decisions that have displeased their contributors."

With the three companies in consideration, Costello said it's also important to take the size of these national or international businesses into account. Executives, employees and lobbying firms are often providing financial support to several members of Congress who share similar ideals, he said.

The companies also provide a number of jobs to the region, which Costello said is a goal every elected official should work toward. Recently, he has been in talks with Olin about a possible move of the company's East Alton operation, according to a press release issued in January. The plant employs about 1,450 people.

"I see one of my main responsibilities as doing everything I can to help the local economy retain the jobs we have and bring in new ones," he said.

Fundraising efforts are not targeted at individual people, Costello said, adding that most of his fundraising money comes from independent donations rather than fundraising events.

"If we receive contributions, we do; if we don't, we don't," he said.

adam.testa@thesouthern.com

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