Contact the Senate Executive Committee!

May 20, 2009

In this Issue:

  • Contact the Senate Executive Committee!

Contact the Senate Executive Committee!
At a press conference in Chicago this morning, Illinois Reform Commission Chairman Patrick Collins stood with leaders of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and the CHANGE Illinois Coalition to call for meaningful limits on campaign contributions. Specifically, he called for limits at the federal level ($2,400 from individuals, $5,000 from associations) and for limits on transfers from parties and legislative leaders. "Why should someone be allowed to give more to a candidate for State Representative than for U.S. Representative?" he asked. "How is it so important for our democracy that legislative leaders be allowed to transfer more than $30,000?"

Collins is appearing on Friday before the Senate Executive Committee, which will hear testimony on campaign finance reform. Senate Democrats today announced their plans, which allow donations that are double what ICPR, the IRC, and the CHANGE Illinois Coalition support. And the Senate Democrats want no limits at all on transfers from leaders. So we know the Committee will be a tough place.

Even if you've already contacted your own legislator, we need you to contact members of the Committee and tell them you support real campaign finance reform -- with federal-style limits on giving, including limits on transfers from leaders. This Committee will decide what legislation is sent to the full Senate. If the Committee kills meaningful reform, then most Senators will not have the opportunity to show their support.

Members of the Committee need to hear from you -- today, tomorrow, and Friday -- to understand how important real, meaningful campaign finance reform is. If they want limits without teeth, they can support limits higher than the federal system. If they want limits with loopholes, they can support uncapped transfers from leadership and parties. If they want real reform, they can support the federal system, with limits on leadership and party transfers. It's just that simple.

Can you help by sending an e-mail today? In the last week, citizens all over Illinois have sent hundreds of e-mails to their own legislators through our site. Now we need to get the message to members of this one committee. Go here to send an e-mail to the members of the Senate Executive Committee (in Step Two, choose the letter to Senate Executive Committee Members). And after you've sent your e-mail, refer 10 of your friends!
http://www.ilcampaign2.org/ FindByZip/do_it.php

Now is the moment!

 

 

 



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