SPRINGFIELD – Illinois super PACs are bringing more than $1 million to this fall’s legislative campaign, but the meaning and influence of that money remains uncertain.

While the unexpected campaign finance phenomenon puts a new wrinkle in the Nov. 6 election, the sum is dwarfed by the $6.8 million held in political accounts of the two major state parties and the four legislative leaders, according to disclosure reports filed this week.

Illinois has 10 super PACs – six formed just this month – that arose from court rulings that allowed corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals to raise and spend unlimited money if they don’t affiliate with a candidate. Five have raised serious money, including $288,000 by Personal PAC, the abortion rights advocate that won a federal lawsuit allowing such “independent expenditure” committees in Illinois.