Chicago City Wire

Real estate developer and video gambing magnate Rick Heidner, once a financial backer of former Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx and current Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, will seek the Republican nomination for Illinois governor in 2026.

Heidner, 64, of Barrington Hills, filed paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Elections on Monday.

As he has built his video gambling empire over the past two decades, Heidner has been an active campaign donor in Illinois.

GOP Governor hopeful Rick Heidner has been a major financial backer of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. | Cook County

Illinois State Board of Elections records show at least 878 campaign donations by Heidner and his companies since 2000, totaling $1.459 million.

Though he is running as a Republican, Heidner backed Kim Foxx in her first campaign for state's attorney, and made a $25,000 donation to Johnson in May 2023, supporting his successful run for Chicago Mayor.

Heidner has supported most leading Democrat elected officials in Illinois, including recently convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan ($61,500), current Illinois Senate President Don Harmon ($10,000) former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton ($46,700), Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle ($22,000), former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and former Chicago Mayors Rahm Emanuel ($7,000) and Richard M. Daley.

Heidner has also supported the Illinois Democratic Party ($17,500) and many Democrat state legislators, including State Sen. Michael E. Hastings (D-Orland Hills), former State Sen. Jim DeLeo (D-Chicago) and former State Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago), who received $15,000 from his companies.

State Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island), who the Chicago Sun-Times says "has shepherded gambling bills in the statehouse for years," has received $28,500 from Heidner. 

Heidner has made donations to Republicans as well.

He gave the Illinois Republican Party $290 in March 2024, and made three donations totaling $450 to the Illinois House Republican Organization, which opposed Madigan, in 2003-04.

According to a profile in Barrington Magazine, in addition to founding Gold Rush Amusements, the third-largest video gambling terminal owner in Illinois with more than 740 locations, Heidner owns "more than 280 commerical properties across 12 states," including the Arboretum of South Barrington.

His campaign is chaired by Brett R. Corrigan of Des Plaines and its treasurer is Michael Miller of Barrington.