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States try to tackle 'secret money' in politics

May 2, 2013
LA Times

With campaign donations up and a lack of federal action, a joint effort aims to lift the shadows on tax-exempt political advocacy groups and trade associations.

By Matea Gold, Chris Megerian and Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — Early last month, state lawyers and election officials around the country dialed into a conference call to talk about how to deal with the flood of secret money that played an unprecedented role in the 2012 election.

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Does Stephen Colbert’s Endorsement of His Sister Violate Election Laws?

April 25, 2013
The Slate

Why Mark Sanford probably won’t get equal time on Comedy Central.

By Megan Wiegand

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Independence USA SuperPAC Set the Agenda in the Second Congressional



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Was Jackson Jr.'s alleged spending spree a victimless crime?

February 20, 2013
Chicago Tribune

Eric Zorn

OK, all mockery, pearl-clutching and indignation aside, who, really, was hurt if, as federal prosecutors allege, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. used campaign funds to buy decorations for his own personal Planet Hollywood along with assorted other luxury items?

The public treasury?

I'll give you that.

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Supreme Court to consider limits on individual political contributions

February 19, 2013
Washinton Post

By Robert Barnes

The Supreme Court reentered the controversial field of campaign finance Tuesday, agreeing to consider a Republican challenge to decades-old limits on the total amount a person can contribute to candidates, political parties and political action committees.

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Bloomberg's choice for Congress (editorial)

February 19, 2013
Chicago Tribune

Voters will decide if his super PAC message sways them

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's super political action committee, Independence USA, is spending at least $2.1 million on the special election campaign in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District, and Debbie Halvorson is not happy about it. With her A+ rating from the National Rifle Association, she has been the target of the ads, and one of her Democratic primary opponents, Robin Kelly, has won the endorsement of the super PAC.

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$1.6 million reasons to be concerned about SuperPACs in Illinois elections

 Yesterday, January 10, was the first hearing of the Campaign Finance Reform Task Force to discuss independent expenditures and so-called SuperPACs. The Task Force, created by statute to monitor election laws, is to report to the General Assembly and the Governor by the end of the month about how adequate current rules are for ensuring that SuperPACs do not corrupt the process. ICPR Deputy Director David Morrison testified at yesterday's hearing, alongside UIS Prof. Emeritus Kent Redfield. Here's a summary of what we said:

 



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Watchdog group wants to rein in super PACs operating in Illinois

January 11, 2013
Bloomington Pantagraph

By Kurt Erickson

Big outside money spent on losing candidates in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — This chart shows the amount of money spent by “independent expenditure” committees, in-cluding so-called “super PACs,” on behalf… Read more

SPRINGFIELD — Hoping to lift the shroud of secrecy on where millions of dollars in campaign money are coming from, a campaign watchdog group Thursday outlined a series of potential remedies to the law that allows super PACs to operate in Illinois.

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Report: Candidates, parties dwarfed SuperPACs’ legislative spending

January 10, 2013
Daily Herald

By Doug T. Graham

SPRINGFIELD — SuperPACs contributed money in key statewide suburban races in the 2012 elections. However, their money paled in comparison to that spent by the candidates themselves or political parties, according to a new report.

An Illinois Campaign for Political Reform report showed that of the more than $29 million raised in statewide legislative races, just $1.7 million was spent by SuperPACs.

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