June 30, 2004

In This Issue
* ICPR Finds Growth in Large Campaign Contributions
* Updated Giving Figures for Gambling, AFSCME on ICPR Website
* Save the Date: Thursday August 12


ICPR Finds Growth in Large Campaign Contributions
ICPR's latest issue briefing, The Sky's the Limit, finds that many political leader rely on very large contributions for an unhealthy portion of their campaign funds. Contributors who gave at least $10,000 account for more than 25% of the funds raised by House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, Senate President Emil Jones, the Illinois Republican Party, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Want to know who, in 2003-2004, has the most contributors over $10,000? It's in the report. (Hint: it's over 100 such contributors. Well over) Sixteen contributors have given at least $50,000, more than the average household income in Illinois. Needless to say, such contributions would be illegal in almost all other states. Click here for more information.

Updated Giving Figures for Gambling, AFSCME on ICPR Website
With possible gambling expansion and the new state contract in the news, ICPR has posted updated campaign contribution information on its homepage. Click here for more.

Save the Date: Thursday August 12
Paul Simon, the former Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senator and co-founder of ICPR, passed away last December. Tragically, his death came on the same day that Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law sweeping new ethics reforms championed by Simon. ICPR is holding a special event to celebrate Sen. Simon and the ethics law, to be held in Chicago on Thursday, August 12. Please save the date, and check back to http://www.ilcampaign.org for more information as we finalize the details or call us at 312-335-1767.

ICPR Spotcheck is a publication of The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, a non-partisan public interest group that educates, conducts research, and advocates reforms to promote public participation in government, address the role of money in politics, and encourage integrity, accountability, and transparency in government.

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