| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2005 |
Contact: 312-335-1767 |
Strict limits on the size of campaign contributions and a ban on contributions
by corporations and labor unions led a 9-point blueprint of government and campaign
reform proposals unveiled Wednesday by a coalition of reform advocates.
The coalition of eight reform groups urged legislators, the Governor and all
constitutional officers to work together on a comprehensive package of legislation
that would reduce the influence of special interest lobbies and restore the
confidence of citizens in all branches of state government.
The blueprint to guide elected leaders in negotiating reform was issued by the Better Government Association, the Citizen Advocacy Center, Common Cause of Illinois, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, the Illinois Public Interest Research Group, the League of Women Voters of Illinois, Protestants for the Common Good, and the Sunshine Project.
In addition to comprehensive limits on campaign contributions and contributors, the blueprint suggests creating a voluntary public financing option for judicial campaigns, strengthening the power of the State Board of Elections to enforce financial disclosure laws, increasing the frequency of disclosure of campaign contributions, mandating disclosure of lobbyist contracts, requiring a cooling off period before legislators and state employees could become lobbyists after leaving government, and creating non-partisan voters guides with information about candidates on the ballot.
Although corporate and union contributions are prohibited in federal elections and in most states, there has been little action in the General Assembly to extend the ban to Illinois. Absent a total ban, the coalition members said they would advocate restrictions on campaign contributions by businesses that have state contracts or are regulated by the state.
“The people of Illinois deserve honest and open government, but it’s hard to come by in the Land of Lincoln,” said Kent Redfield of The Sunshine Project. “There is no shortage of news stories about contributors winning government contracts, the ability of contributors to kill or pass legislation and the spectacle of a Supreme Court election that shattered all national records for spending.”
“I’ve talked to many good people who would make fine candidates,” said Hugo Rojas, state director of Common Cause Illinois. “But most are frightened of the idea of having to raise so much money. Limits would level the playing field.”
“Far too many times have we seen donors pony up thousands to candidates, and then win millions in state contracts,” said Jay Stewart, executive director of the Better Government Association. “That cycle must stop.”
“Several good reform ideas have been introduced in the General Assembly this spring, and we support many of them,” said Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. “We want to work with all of the sponsors and advocates from both parties and all branches of government. And we hope they also will be willing to work together on a comprehensive set of reforms that can become law.”
The reform principles are intended to suggest areas that have earned broad bipartisan support among legislators and executive officers. In the coming weeks, as the legislature works toward a final package of reform ideas, watchdog groups will measure what emerges against these principles.
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We call upon the legislature and the statewide constitutional officers to come to agreement on a package that will improve accountability and transparency in the conduct of government and elections. While some may disagree about segments of what needs to be done, we believe there is broad agreement on a range of issues. We expect our elected officials to engage in sincere and forthright deliberations about how best to improve Illinois’ political culture. We suggest that these deliberations be based on the following principles:
A. Promote Public Confidence in the Integrity of Elections
1. Establish comprehensive limits on contributions, including a ban on giving
by corporations and unions. (If a ban on all corporate contributions is not
enacted, restrictions should be placed on contributions by corporations doing
business with state government and companies regulated by the state.)
2. Provide a public financing option for judicial office
3. Strengthen the State Board of Elections’ enforcement powers
B. Improve Voter Education
3. Distribute non-partisan information on candidates and offices through Voters
Guides
4. Encourage voter participation
5. Provide more frequent campaign disclosure, especially for large contributions
C. Augment the Transparency of Government
6. Improve Statements of Economic Interest
7. Disclose lobbyist contracts
8. Shut the revolving door between public offices and lobbying firms
| 2003-2004 Political Donations to Illinois Candidates* | ||
| Donors during the 2003-2004 Election Cycle | Total Giving | Percentage |
| Businesses and Business Groups | $42.3 million | 37% |
| Transfers from Other PACS | $28.1 million | 25% |
| Unions | $10.6 million | 9% |
| Lawyers | $9.8 million | 9% |
| Non-itemized (giving under $150) | $9.8 million | 9% |
| Candidate self-giving and loans | $2.0 million | 2% |
| Lobbyists | $1.1 million | 1% |
| Other (E.g.: Issue groups, unclassified, etc) | $10.8 million | 10% |
| Total | $113,463,805 | 100% |
Contact Information
Better Government Association Jay Stewart 312-427-8330
Citizen Advocacy Center Terry Pastika 630-833-4080
Common Cause Illinois Hugo Rojas 312-372-3860
Illinois Campaign for Political Reform Cindi Canary 312-335-1767
Illinois PIRG John Gaudette 312-685-0585
League of Women Voters of Illinois Paula Lawson 847-835-8840
Protestants for the Common Good Al Sharp 312-223-9544
The Sunshine Project Kent Redfield 217-206-6574