Newspapers Around Illinois Agree: Fight Corruption, Protect Contribution Limits, Stop SB 3722
In the last few days we've seen editorials from newspapers all around the state, all in agreement that SB 3722 opens too much of a loophole in the campaign contribution limits that took effect just over a year ago. Call your legislator to let them know where you stand.
"Even as it stands, Illinois’ campaign funding law contains some debilitating loopholes. A rash reaction to a court ruling could weaken the measure even further, and return the state to the Wild West days of anything-goes campaign finance."
-The Daily Herald, May 18
"It's up to voters, then, to make lawmakers grab the reins and force them to slow down on this issue. Certainly, opponents argue persuasively that the measure should be vetted by the Illinois Campaign Reform Task Force, which was created by the 2009 limits law for that very purpose."
- The Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus, May 17
"But we agree with the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform that entry of a super PAC into a state election need not signal an automatic forfeiture of a contribution limit law that barely has been tested. We’re concerned that, without sufficient restrictions on and definition of independent expenditure committees, candidates might be able to exploit this new rule to remove contribution limits in their races. A candidate with deep-pocketed supporters who have reached their donation limits need only “hope” that those supporters will form an independent expenditure committee on his or her behalf and spend the required $250,000 or $100,000. Once that threshold is achieved, the sky is the limit for fundraising."
- The State Journal-Register, May 23
"We join several good-government groups who say a proposal to lift donation limits in some campaigns is hasty and premature and should be tabled for now."
- The Chicago Sun-Times, May 23
