Newspapers Across Illinois Agree:

Now is the Time for Reform

Freeport Journal Standard (1/5/06)

Which brings us full circle to the root of all of this evil, regardless of ideology: money in politics. From multimillion dollar political campaigns to high-stakes lobbying, money is the addictive drug that has incapacitated the body politick. Like junkies looking for a fix, politicians need millions to get elected, so they turn to lobbyists and special interests who, as the price of influence rises, demand proportionally more say in the writing of laws that produce a return on their investment, the best interests of the American people be damned. It's not just at the national level - in Illinois the George Ryan corruption scandal amounts to little more than the same pay-to-play template that has led Congress astray.

Bloomington Pantagraph (12/20/05)

For people who tire of seemingly endless campaign commercials and political mailings, speculation that the 2006 election season might break spending records is not good news.  It's not exactly good news for candidates who have to raise the money, either. Those candidates should tell us how they would improve the system. More than that, they should take action if elected. The Legislature should put ceilings on the amount of money an individual, business or organization can donate to a campaign just as the federal government and nearly every other state does.

Peoria Journal-Star (10/22/05)

[A ban on contractor giving] goes further by requiring bidders to disclose  contributions of $500 or more, information that would be made public once a contract is awarded. Contracts could be voided for failing to disclose, and contractors with repeated violations would be banned from doing state work for three years. Non-compliant officeholders and contributors could be subject to criminal prosecution. No one can plausibly argue that these reforms aren't long overdue.

State Journal-Register (10/21/05)

"Pay to play" isn't a catchy state lottery slogan in Illinois, but rather the way most people figure state government runs and how it awards juicy contracts.  One would think that with these high-profile, corruption-related topics dominating the media, it would be a great time to push for tougher ethics and campaign-finance legislation. And that is precisely what Comptroller Dan Hynes thinks, and why he is attempting to resurrect his common-sense measure that could put a big dent into the ages-old pay-to-play system.  [HB 4073] is worthwhile because it is simple, direct, specific to the problem and would be difficult to circumvent.

The Moline Dispatch (10/25/05)

Perhaps lawmakers, legislative leaders and the governor should remember that through the magic of the ballot box, voters grown tired of corruption can simply make them all disappear.

Champaign News-Gazette: (10/21/05)

We also believe that the kind of public disclosure that [HB 4073] calls for would be welcome.  The bright light of disclosure would not only allow citizens to see and decide for themselves whether a contractor is benefiting from a contributions (and vice versa), but it also might give all contractors pause before donating to politicians.  The more Ð and more immediate Ð access that citizens have to what ought to be public information, the better for everyone.

Chicago Sun-Times (10/9/05)

The only thing "rocking the system" right now are multiple state, county, and federal investigations into the questions of "pay to play" politics that have always dogged the desolate, reform-free landscape of Illinois If Rockin' Rod the Reformer really wants to "end business as usual" when it comes to campaign finance, he's got the guys who can do it.

Crain's Chicago Business (9/12/05)

More is at stake here than Mayor Daley's political future.  The city's international reputation is on the line.  And that matters to business.  Influential people around the world are wondering how Chicago's business community will respond to the clear evidence of corruption in city government.  Will business leaders take a public stand against corruption and set an agenda for reform?  Or will they shrink from the challenge?  Now is the time to answer those questions.

Bloomington Pantagraph (6/23/05)

Legislators need to quit crowing about the present and think about the future.  They should support legislation that would limit contributions beginning with the 2008 elections.  Having no limits is an invitation for political shenanigans, which Republicans have been accusing Blagojevich of by awarding state contractors to his campaign contributors.