In the News

Pioneer Press Lake Forester, April 30, 2009

The national scandal surrounding accusations that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich traded power and influence for hefty campaign contributions has given hope to activists that Illinois will soon join the 46 other U.S. states with laws that cap donations.

"Corruption has become the catch phrase for state government," said Peter Bensinger, former head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency who now leads Change Illinois, a new bipartisan group fighting to limit political contributions.

"The problem is not just Blagojevich; it's a system that allows big money to dominate what gets done and who gets what," he said.

His group backs two state bills that mirror federal caps, and would basically limit contributions by individuals to legislative candidates to $2,400 per primary or general election cycles.

Political Action Committees would be limited, also, to between $10,000 and $30,000 per cycle per legislative candidate, depending upon the type of PAC. A statewide candidate could accept up to $125,000 for a general election from a political party's PAC.

Change Illinois hopes to shame legislators into going along, but last week, only 25 legislators has signed as sponsors for the House bill, and three for the Senate bill, SB 1768.

State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-29th of Lake Forest) said she is in support of capping campaign contributions.

"There are going to be three or four big bills out there, with some differences between them," Garrett said. "The overall goal is, obviously, to take care of some gaping loopholes. It is very clear we are going to have a cap on campaign contributions. Whether that cap is $2,400 or higher we don't know yet, but there will be a cap for the first time."

Garrett said that she would be in support of a higher amount, if reasonable.

"I am not adverse to supporting a cap such as $5,000," she said. "My goal is to ensure that we are in a position in Illinois that, for the first time, we have campaign contribution caps. I am absolutely in support of that."

Recent state ethics hearings have brought questions from members, including House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-25th.

She notes that superrich candidates, by federal law, can't be stopped from spending their own money. With limits, wealthy candidates' opponents "would not have a chance to fight back. It would be like going into battle with one arm tied behind your back," she said.