Campaign Disclosure

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The real scandal behind 'IRS-gate'

Crain's ran my op-ed on the recent controversy over IRS investigation of non-profit applicants with "conservative sounding" names. For reasons beyond my comprehension, I can't comment on my own op-ed, so I'm reposting it here, where the comments thread might be more accessible.



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Jackson Jr. could face new troubles over financial disclosure

May 7, 2013
Chicago Tribune

By Katherine Skiba Tribune reporter

WASHINGTON — Already looking at a possible prison term, former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. could face new trouble over his apparent failure to file a financial disclosure report that is required when lawmakers leave the House.
Meantime, his campaign has been warned by the Federal Election Commission about missing recent deadlines for public reports.

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States try to tackle 'secret money' in politics

May 2, 2013
LA Times

With campaign donations up and a lack of federal action, a joint effort aims to lift the shadows on tax-exempt political advocacy groups and trade associations.

By Matea Gold, Chris Megerian and Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — Early last month, state lawyers and election officials around the country dialed into a conference call to talk about how to deal with the flood of secret money that played an unprecedented role in the 2012 election.

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UNO charter schools backers support House Speaker Madigan with campaign cash

February 25, 2013
Chicago Sun-Times

THIS WEEK BY DAN MIHALOPOULOS

I llinois House Speaker and state Democratic Party leader Michael Madigan — long a friend to Chicago’s United Neighborhood Organization — had a campaign fund-raiser last Oct. 30 hosted by the influential group’s chief executive, Juan Rangel, and its lobbyist, attorney Victor Reyes.

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Jackson admits misusing campaign funds

February 20, 2013
Washington Post

GARY CAMERON/REUTERS - Former Chicago congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. enters the U.S. District Federal Courthouse in Washington on Wednesday.

By Ann E. Marimow

A remorseful and emotional Jesse L. Jackson Jr. faced the criminal charges against him in federal court Wednesday, admitting to misusing campaign funds to benefit himself and his wife.

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Was Jackson Jr.'s alleged spending spree a victimless crime?

February 20, 2013
Chicago Tribune

Eric Zorn

OK, all mockery, pearl-clutching and indignation aside, who, really, was hurt if, as federal prosecutors allege, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. used campaign funds to buy decorations for his own personal Planet Hollywood along with assorted other luxury items?

The public treasury?

I'll give you that.

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$1.6 million reasons to be concerned about SuperPACs in Illinois elections

 Yesterday, January 10, was the first hearing of the Campaign Finance Reform Task Force to discuss independent expenditures and so-called SuperPACs. The Task Force, created by statute to monitor election laws, is to report to the General Assembly and the Governor by the end of the month about how adequate current rules are for ensuring that SuperPACs do not corrupt the process. ICPR Deputy Director David Morrison testified at yesterday's hearing, alongside UIS Prof. Emeritus Kent Redfield. Here's a summary of what we said:

 



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Watchdog group wants to rein in super PACs operating in Illinois

January 11, 2013
Bloomington Pantagraph

By Kurt Erickson

Big outside money spent on losing candidates in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — This chart shows the amount of money spent by “independent expenditure” committees, in-cluding so-called “super PACs,” on behalf… Read more

SPRINGFIELD — Hoping to lift the shroud of secrecy on where millions of dollars in campaign money are coming from, a campaign watchdog group Thursday outlined a series of potential remedies to the law that allows super PACs to operate in Illinois.

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Report: Candidates, parties dwarfed SuperPACs’ legislative spending

January 10, 2013
Daily Herald

By Doug T. Graham

SPRINGFIELD — SuperPACs contributed money in key statewide suburban races in the 2012 elections. However, their money paled in comparison to that spent by the candidates themselves or political parties, according to a new report.

An Illinois Campaign for Political Reform report showed that of the more than $29 million raised in statewide legislative races, just $1.7 million was spent by SuperPACs.

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