From the Tribune:
55-0
Illinois Senate overrides Blagojevich's veto, enacts 'pay-to-play' ethics law
By Ray Long | Chicago Tribune reporter
    September 23, 2008
SPRINGFIELD — In an overwhelming rebuke of scandal-tarred Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Illinois lawmakers on Monday approved the state's first ban on campaign donations from supporters seeking lucrative state contracts.
The 55-0 vote in the Senate came only days after Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama—stung by his own connections to Illinois' infamous culture of influence peddling—prodded Senate President Emil Jones (D- Chicago) into allowing an immediate roll call.
Blagojevich tried to force lawmakers to accept changes to the measure that he said would strengthen it. But advocates said he was really trying to kill their efforts to rein in his habit of raising money from people who get state business—a practice derided by many as "pay-to-play."
"Finally getting [the ban on] pay-to-play enacted is a huge victory for the people of Illinois who want honest and accountable government," said Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. She said the victory came even though Blagojevich "has gone out of his way on this bill to give it a body block every time you turn around."
Still, even strong supporters said the new law was just a start at bringing Illinois up to par with more progressive states on fundraising. Among the acknowledged loopholes: There is nothing to stop businesses from giving to political groups that still could funnel money to state officials, and there are no restrictions on donations to lawmakers who can be influential in awarding contracts.
At the heart of the legislation is a ban on businesses that have or seek state contracts worth a total of more than $50,000 from donating to statewide officeholders who dole out the business. The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, covers the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and comptroller.
Lawmakers aimed the donation ban directly at the governor and sent it to him without a dissenting vote just days before the June corruption conviction of top fundraiser and adviser Antoin "Tony" Rezko. Witnesses at the federal trial repeatedly said Blagojevich talked of rewarding campaign contributors. Federal investigators continue to investigate potential connections between the governor's record-setting campaign fundraising and state favors.
A Tribune examination in April found that Blagojevich received 235 campaign contributions of exactly $25,000 and that most donors received something from the administration, ranging from appointments to contracts to favorable policy decisions.
Blagojevich used his veto power to rewrite the ethics legislation and send it back to lawmakers, with most of the new provisions aimed at restricting their own fundraising as well as restrictions on their lobbying activities and on their ability to hold two government jobs. He also issued an executive order that he said embodied the key issues, but it does not go as far as the legislation in several areas.
"The General Assembly didn't really move the ball forward," Blagojevich said in a news release after the Senate vote.
Most lawmakers disagreed. The House overrode the governor's changes to the bill earlier this month, and the Senate's action Monday made it a law.
"This is a big step forward for Illinois," said sponsoring Sen. Don Harmon (D- Oak Park).
"I have one word to say: Hallelujah," said Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), who added that work on ethics reform is still incomplete. "While this is an important step, it is a small step and it is a first step."
After the bill was approved, a Senate committee advanced another bill that would add some of the governor's ethics proposals, though they are not on a fast track to his desk.
Changes in Illinois ethics laws have been slow in coming to Illinois even after the corruption conviction of Republican Gov. George Ryan, Blagojevich's predecessor. As the first Democratic governor in 26 years, Blagojevich promised an administration that would set the highest standards for ethics.
Supporters of the new law had worried that Blagojevich would stymie their progress with the help of Jones, his top legislative ally, who had planned on delaying a vote until after the Nov. 4 election. That could have put the law in jeopardy because of a dispute over how quickly the Senate must act to override the governor's changes.
Jones said he decided to act now after getting a phone call last week from Obama, who has called Jones his political godfather.
Asked Monday what role Obama played, Jones said: "He's a friend."
Obama, who also received campaign contributions from Rezko and has admitted making a mistake by buying property from his onetime friend, is facing a new effort from Republicans to portray him as a product of a sleazy Chicago political culture. He issued a statement Monday evening while in Chicago for two political fundraising events.
"The Illinois Senate took an important step forward today by breaking the gridlock and unanimously passing a tougher ethics law that will reduce the influence of money over our state's political process and further the bipartisan reforms I worked with my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass ten years ago," Obama said.
Tribune reporter Monique Garcia contributed to this report.