Bill Includes Creation of Reform Task Force, More Frequent Public Disclosure and Random Audits of Campaign Committees

The CHANGE Illinois! coalition on Wednesday said the signing of Senate Bill 1466, establishing the state’s first limits on campaign contributions is an historic step for reform of the state’s campaign finance system.

“When Gov. Quinn vetoed a badly flawed limits bill this summer, we stood at his side and pledged to work with him and legislators on a bill that would represent meaningful reform,” said George Ranney, a CHANGE Illinois! co-chair and President and CEO of Chicago Metropolis 2020.

“This bill is a marked improvement and an historic step forward. Although we’re not at the end of the road to reform, we are moving forward.

“Speaker Madigan and Senate President Cullerton pledged to work with our reform coalition and come to an agreement on a comprehensive package of contribution limits and other reforms,” Ranney said.

“Protracted negotiations in fact have led to strong and constructive legislation.”

Beginning January 1, 2011, contributions to all candidates by individuals will be limited to a maximum of $5,000 per election.

Businesses and associations will be limited to $10,000 per candidate; and political action committees will be limited to no more than $50,000 per candidate.

During primary election campaigns, there will be limits on contributions from political party committees and legislative caucus committees, but the bill does not limit contributions by those sources in general election campaigns.

“For the very first time, Illinois will have limits on money coming into the front end of the campaign system, including contributions to political parties and legislative leaders,” said Peter Bensinger, a co-chair of CHANGE Illinois! and former Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

“Contributions from parties and legislative leaders will be limited in primaries, and we will continue to push the General Assembly to limit them in the general election. Because this bill doesn’t take effect until the 2012 elections, legislators still have time to pass additional legislation limiting party and leader contributions in the general election cycle.”

In addition, SB 1466 requires more frequent disclosure of large contributions to the public, mandates the first system of random audits of finances of political committees by state regulators; establishes a searchable database of penalties assessed to violators of state finance laws; and creates a bi-partisan task force to analyze the new limits law, make recommendations for improvements, and examine the feasibility of creating a voluntary public campaign finance system.

For more details about SB 1466, visit changeil.org.

“CHANGE Illinois! is a diverse and bi-partisan coalition of people from all parts of Illinois, but we have one thing in common – the determination to bring more fairness and honesty to the political system,” said Deborah Harrington, a co-chair of CHANGE Illinois! and President of the Woods Fund of Chicago.

“Creating a system of reasonable limits on campaign contributions should decrease the influence of some big contributors and encourage more people to get involved and consider running for office.”

About CHANGE Illinois!

CHANGE Illinois! is a coalition of civic, business, labor, professional, non-profit and philanthropic organizations, which represents more than 2 million members advocating for comprehensive political reform and for Illinois to join the federal government and virtually every other state in the nation by enacting campaign finance limits.

For more information, go to changeil.org.