From the Bloomington Pantagraph (Editorial)

All candidates must follow rulers -- even newcomers
By the Pantagraph Editorial Board
Being a newcomer is no excuse for failing to follow Illinois' Campaign Financing Act. Most candidates are newcomers at some point. Understanding - and following - the rules is part of the job of being a candidate.
Yet being a newcomer is how first-term Alderwoman Judy Stearns explains why she is facing more than $4,000 in fines for failure to file various reports on time.
She is not alone. There are 83 candidate committees, political action committees and other groups subject to disclosure rules listed on the Illinois Board of Elections Web site as having fines due (www.elections.il.gov). And a lot of them aren't newcomers.
The list doesn't include individuals such as Stearns whose cases are still pending or whose fines have already been paid. A hearing that was scheduled for this week was postponed until Feb. 29 at Stearns' request.
The number of campaign committees that repeatedly disregard campaign disclosure rules is a sad reflection of the lack of real teeth in the state's campaign financing regulations.
These regulations are supposed to help voters be better informed, let them see a candidate's major financial backers and allow them to judge whether campaign contributions influence a candidate's actions.
The elections board Web site has a calendar that outlines the time period during which various reports must be made. It notes clearly that contributions, including in-kind donations and loans received within 30 days before the election must be reported within two business days. It even lists the specific dates for those who can't count to 30.
In addition, when people file as candidates, they receive a notice of their obligation to comply with the Illinos Campaign Financing Act.
Manuals with instructions and forms are available from the State Board of Elections or county clerk upon request.
The elections board said Stearns failed to file her statement on organizing a committee until 56 days after the deadline, failed to file a pre-election report for the primary election until nine days after the deadline, failed to file a pre-election report for the general election until 11 days after the deadline and failed to report individual contributions of more than $500.
According to a report to the elections board from hearing officer Sharon Stewart, Stearns said she didn't realize her own money counted toward the $3,000 threshold that triggers reporting requirements. Stearns loaned her campaign more than $12,000 and received $2,846 in contributions.
But the "frequently asked questions" section of the board's Web site includes this entry
"If a candidate funds his campaign entirely with his own personal funds, is he required to file campaign disclosure reports?"
The answer given is, "Yes, if he spends more than $3,000."
That is plain and easy to understand - even for newcomers.