From the Chicago Sun-Times

Lobbyists unchecked by state's ethics overhaul
April 28, 2004
BY CYNTHIA CANARY

EDITORIAL

'You voted for change. I intend to deliver it.'' Those words were spoken by Gov. Blagojevich in his inaugural address, just minutes after taking the oath of office, and he has repeated his mantra for ''change'' just about every day of his now 15-month-old administration.In some areas of state government, he is bringing about important change. He was instrumental in passage of groundbreaking ethics-reform legislation, which included the creation of an office of inspector general and an ethics commission to enforce the new law and required ethics training for all state employees.
The new law also included some significant changes in the conduct of election campaigns. It set out in clear terms exactly what campaign activities are prohibited by state employees while they are on the job, and it outlaws campaign contributions on state government property.
Although all of those reforms are indications of ''change'' in the way government operates in Illinois, no matter how many times voters are told that ''business as usual'' is ending, some things never change. Special-interest lobbies making the largest contributions to candidates for public office continue to rule the day.
That's why just about every week we read a new newspaper story about a state contract being awarded to a person or company that also happens to have given a campaign contribution to the governor's campaign organization. Consider:
*A Chicago architectural firm has been chosen to design a new state emergency response center in Springfield. The same firm gave $12,150 to the Blagojevich campaign.
*A Virginia company signed a $214,000 contract to help the state reduce its vehicle fleet. The same firm gave more than $25,000 to the governor's campaign.
*A Pennsylvania company received more than $200 million in contracts to provide health care services to state prisons. The same firm contributed $10,000 to the governor's campaign.
*A Chicago public relations firm received a $6.2 million tourism promotion contract from the state. The same firm has contributed more than $32,000 to the governor's campaign.
All of these examples add up to a lot of money in the governor's campaign fund and one big black eye for the governor. And if we consider all of the legislators who accept unlimited contributions from utilities, gambling and other interests seeking favorable legislative action, it's not just the governor who has a black eye.
It all may be legal, but it doesn't look good. In fact, it looks like something that ought to be changed. One important change would be a limit on the amount of money that anyone could give to state political candidates. Unlike the federal government and most other states, Illinois does not impose any limitation on the amount of money that can be contributed. Illinois also does not prohibit contributions by labor unions and corporations. Even those regulated by Illinois government or doing business with the state can make unlimited political contributions.
In 2002, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform posed a series of questions to candidates for the General Assembly and governor. Blagojevich and many legislators returned ICPR surveys indicating their support for campaign contribution limits. Unfortunately, none has turned their words to action. Until the fundamental problem of money in politics is addressed, business as usual will prevail in Illinois.
It's time for a change. It's time for our elected officials to deliver.Cynthia Canary is director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.