SPRINGFIELD - In his bid for governor, Republican Jim Oberweis says he's the best choice to clean up state government.

But the North Aurora dairy owner has received $20,000 in campaign contributions from a conservative businessman whose political action committees have violated state election laws.

According to state records, two PACs run by John O. "Jack" Roeser of Carpentersville have been fined more than $61,000 by state regulators.

The fines against Roeser's Family Taxpayers Network and Renew Illinois PAC, both of which have funneled money to Oberweis, remain unpaid, and state officials are preparing to ask a collection agency to help recoup the money.

Oberweis campaign manager Joe Wiegand called the violations minor, and said he was not bothered by the penalties levied against Roeser's groups.

"I don't find anything troublesome in it at all," said Wiegand. "So much good work is done by Family Taxpayers Network and Renew Illinois to promote good government, that we trust that they are doing their best to resolve this issue."

Roeser, a well-known voice in conservative Republican circles, has contributed money to Republican candidates for years.

State records show he doled out more than $924,000 to candidates for statewide office and tens of thousands more to candidates for federal office.

His groups were fined by the Illinois State Board of Elections for violating state rules regarding the timely reporting of contributions. Under state law, contributions to politicians must be reported within certain time limits in order for the public to be able to view who is backing a candidate's activities.

Roeser's Family Taxpayers Network racked up $51,485 in fines for late-reporting violations, while his Renew Illinois PAC was fined $10,000.

Roeser said the problems arose because of new electronic reporting requirements at the state Board of Elections. He said one of his employees missed some work and, therefore, missed a filing deadline.

That, he said, triggered the penalties.

But, he said the amount of fines outweigh the severity of the violations.

"There is no hiding of funds," said Roeser. "I wish to hell it was settled. It's kind of a nuisance."

Roeser is backing Oberweis in the 2006 election over state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and Chicago businessman Ron Gidwitz.

Candidates running in the March election begin formally filing their nominating papers today.

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