SPRINGFIELD - Politicians undoubtedly rake in a lot of dough from deep-pocketed campaign contributors.

It's not well-known that they sometimes turn that cash into more dough - the deep-dish variety, that is.

According to state campaign records, Illinois politicians have spent more than $93,000 of their campaign cash on pizza in recent years.

They've also spent more than $201,000 on candy, $24,606 on cake and pancakes and nearly $20,000 on ice cream.

The figures are just a sampling of some of the items politicians buy with the money they receive from their contributors.

The spending isn't illegal, but it does illustrate how politicians can use their campaign dollars to buy things others would have to purchase out of their own pockets.

"It may all be well-intentioned, but it is still a perk that only they can enjoy," said David Morrison of the Chicago-based Campaign for Political Reform, an election spending watchdog group.

While the lion's share of campaign funds are spent on television advertisements, polls and yard signs, records show state lawmakers, judges and others also bought $1,211 worth of lollipops and more than $145,000 worth of beer and wine.

"If they are ripping off anybody, they are ripping off their donors," Morrison said.

In the most recent filing period, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka reported paying $120 to the city of Springfield to settle a number of late parking tickets.

Though that amount is a tiny percentage of the Republican gubernatorial candidate's $1.5 million campaign war chest, every nickel and dime she raises will come into play as she faces off Nov. 7 against well-heeled incumbent Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Just as the Topinka campaign has admitted being a parking scofflaw, Blagojevich, too, faces legal expenses. According to his campaign finance reports, he spent $687,000 in the first half of 2006 on legal bills.

The reports show many politicians know they need to spend a little money to make money.

Records dating to the 1990s show nearly $11 million has been spent on golf-related fundraising activities.

State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, for example, recently spent $100 of his campaign account to sponsor a hole at a golf outing.

State Rep. David Reis, R-Olney, spent $3,633 to organize and host a golf outing in late June.

Some of the spending is on food for campaign volunteers. State Sen. Dan Cronin, R-Elmhurst, for example, has spent more than $3,000 of his campaign fund on pizza since 2005.

Despite salaries topping $65,000, as well as taxpayer-paid expense checks for meals and mileage, many state lawmakers use their campaign accounts instead of their personal funds to pay for cars and gas.

Reports show more than $500,000 has been spent on vehicles for politicians over the past several years. Another $943 has been spent on oil changes.

Among those who drive on their campaign account dime is state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline. His monthly vehicle bill is $617.

Other expenses are for what amount to giveaways. Along with spending $7,886 to buy nail files, politicians spent $2,054 on combs, hoping potential voters will remember whom to vote for each time they look in the mirror.

"There are very few limits on spending," Morrison said. "You can't take it for yourself, but that's about it."

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 782-1249.