April 13, 2004

In This Issue
* THANKS
* ICPR files complaint with State Board of Elections
* Chicago TV Stations Bill over $9 Million for Campaign Ads


THANKS
ICPR extends heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported ICPR recently. Your contributions make real reform possible in Illinois. If you haven't given to ICPR recently, please consider doing so, by clicking here.

ICPR files complaint with State Board of Elections
For the first time in its history, ICPR has filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections. The complaint alleges that two PACs controlled by State Rep. Calvin Giles have failed to file required campaign disclosure reports for over one year. ICPR filed the complaints to protect Illinois' campaign disclosure system. Read ICPR's statement, as well as the Chicago Tribune story on the complaint, by clicking here.

Chicago TV Stations Bill over $9 Million for Campaign Ads
Chicago's biggest TV stations billed candidates for public office nearly $9 million during the final month of the March primary. First in billing was WLS (Channel 7), which billed $2.8 million, followed by WMAQ (Channel 5), at $2.5 million. While vote totals did not mirror ad spending, no candidate who spent less than $1 million finished in the Top Three in their primary. ICPR remains concerned that the high cost of reaching voters is driving the escalation in campaign spending, and the concomitant drive for fundraising from special interests. Please read ICPR's findings and view our charts.

ICPR Spotcheck is a publication of The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, a non-partisan public interest group that educates, conducts research, and advocates reforms to promote public participation in government, address the role of money in politics, and encourage integrity, accountability, and transparency in government.

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