Cash is not the whole story when it comes to corporate influence on politicians: companies also donate everything from jet flights to beer to political leaders, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported May 20.

Anheuser-Busch, for example, has donated beer to many Illinois politicians, including $6,000 worth of brew to the campaign of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2003. Other services and goods donated by companies include pro bono public-relations representation, food, loaned staff, cigars, and lodging.

In Illinois, such donations are uncapped, and totaled $24 million over the past two years. During the same period, Illinois politicians received a total of $290 million in donations of all types.

Companies say in-kind donations not only show support for favored candidates but also give them a chance to show off the kind of work they do. In fact, experts say that in-kind donations are a good measure of the depth of support a firm has for a particular candidate.

"If they're hosting a fundraiser or providing a plane ... that level of involvement usually goes beyond a business relationship," said Kent Redfield, a campaign finance expert at the University of Illinois. "It indicates some level of support, either politically or in terms of policy."