October 2, 2006

In This Issue:
• See any good TV lately?
• Special Election Bonus
• Reporting on Judicial Elections

Seen any good TV lately?
If you've tuned in for the new Fall lineups, you've probably also seen a bunch of political campaign ads. It's that time of year again: the weeks before the election is when candidates want to define what you think of them. But what happened to debates? Remember when the candidates for office used to face off with each other, taking questions from the voters and saying what they believed? Gov. Blagojevich and Treasurer Topinka announced months ago that they wanted a dozen debates; now, after last night's radio debate in Decatur, we'll be lucky to see another direct conversation between the two main candidates (let alone one with Rich Whitney, or broadcast on TV in prime time). But those TV ads will run nonstop until Tuesday, November 7. If you'd like to know more about the candidates than what they tell you in a completely scripted, controlled ad, give'em a call and tell them to debate. For more on this topic, see Cindi Canary's op-ed in this week's Crain's.

Special Election Bonus
ICPR is conducting its regular fundraising drive now and we have a special incentive for Spotcheck subscribers. Donate $100 or more through our website and we'll give you a copy of the 2006 Election Advent Calendar. Put together by some of our friends at other Illinois non-profits, the Election Advent Calendar is a great way to count down the days to the General Election with fun facts and informative pictures for each day. And it's our gift to people who help us to keep up the fight for reform in Illinois. Of course, as always, Spotcheck subscribers who give at all levels will receive our sincere appreciation.

Reporting on Judicial Elections
ICPR's Media Guide for the 2006 judicial elections is now available. The Guide is packed full of background information on Illinois judicial races: issues in judicial elections, how judicial races are different from other elections, fundraising trends, contact information for key players. If you're a reporter covering judicial races, or a concerned voter trying to figure them out, the Guide is a great place to start.

Please consider making a donation to ICPR. We need your contributions and your help to clean up Illinois politics. Visit our online donations page.

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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