"Today's news shows how much is at stake in this election. These secret corporate special interests are spending record amounts to support Congressman Kirk because they know he will continue to protect their profits at the expense of the middle class," said Alexi for Illinois spokesman Scott Burnham. "Every dollar is being spent on negative attack ads that have been called false by independent fact check organizations. While Alexi is talking about tax cuts for middle class families and help for America's small businesses, these groups support Congressman Kirk because he continually pushes for more tax cuts for the wealthy and votes to protect tax loopholes for companies that ship our jobs overseas."

CHICAGO – At tonight’s ABC 7 debate, Congressman Mark Kirk once again falsely described himself as a moderate and independent voice for Illinois. The reality is that during his 10 years in Washington, Congressman Mark Kirk has proven co-dependent on corporate special interest cash and has voted their way every single time. 

Today, Senator John Kerry joined Alexi in calling out the shadowy groups that are trying to buy this election. Here's what Senator Kerry had to say:
 

Congressman Mark Kirk: A 'Pig at the Trough' of Wall Street : video

Mark Kirk has taken the most Wall Street donations of any Senate candidate and was labeled a "pig at the trough" by MarketWatch.

CHICAGO - Earlier this month, Republican Congressman Mark Kirk was called a "pig at the trough" of the securities industry by MarketWatch, part of the Wall Street Journal news group, for taking in over $826,000 in campaign contributions this cycle alone from an industry determined to halt meaningful reform in its tracks.  That amount is more than all but one Member of Congress, and the most of anyone who opposed reform. 

CHICAGO - The Alexi for Illinois campaign launched a new Web ad today, challenging Republican Congressman Mark Kirk to stop hiding and start answering questions about why he wants to oppose President Obama and lead the effort to repeal health care reform. His absence on the issue is revealing since Congressman Kirk was one of the first to sign the Club For Growth's pledge to repeal health care reform back in January - one month before the bipartisan health care summit, and two months before a bill was available to read.

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias joined employees at a small, family-owned business in Chicago today to articulate the clear contrast between his record of independence and fighting to save Illinois jobs with Republican Congressman Mark Kirk's broken record of receiving millions of dollars in contributions from Wall Street corporate special interests and then voting their way in Washington. Giannoulias called on Mark Kirk to reverse his position of allowing Wall Street CEOs to reap millions in benefits from taxpayer bailout dollars with zero accountability.

CHICAGO - While Republican Congressman Mark Kirk and his campaign think making his tax returns "available for review" is commendable, they are 10 years late and coming up short with their continued refusal to disclose all meetings Congressman Kirk has had with lobbyists.