Friday morning, Democratic members of the Senate Executive committee advanced SB 1466 – Illinois landmark bill to cap political contributions. 

Assistant Majority Leader Don Harmon ( D-Oak Park), the Senate Democrats’ lead negotiator and co-author of the legislation said it is the most comprehensive measure to provide political transparency and public accountability in Illinois history.

Harmon says the legislation will put in place substantial caps on political donations, historic transparency on political committees, strict enforcement measures. 

At the start of 2009, Democrats began the effort to enact a number of sweeping reforms in Illinois government.  Limiting the power of insiders and special interests has been a critical element in this effort.  In the Spring, Democrats sent to the Governor a significant contribution cap measure that was ultimately opposed by reform advocates.  Democrats agreed to roll up their sleeves and re-negotiate the bill to advance the comprehensive reform effort.

The result is legislation that has earned the approval of key government reform advocates like CHANGE Illinois, a coalition of more than 50 organizations who have fought to boost transparency and accountability in the state.

Testifying in committee this morning Cindy Canary, a co-director of the group applauded the effort of leaders like Senator Don Harmon for the reform measure she labeled as “significant.”

Key elements of the legislation include:

• Real Contribution Caps

Under this bill, individuals, corporations, political committees, labor organizations, political parties, legislative leaders/caucus committees and special interests must follow cap mandates;

• Historic Transparency & Disclosure Requirements

The legislation requires strict and swift reporting of contributions throughout the year. All political committees must also file comprehensive financial reports quarterly instead of semi-annually.

• Strict Enforcement Measures

For the first time in state history, the independent State Board of Elections is mandated to randomly audit political committees, as well as to audit any committee that may have violated the law. 

Senate Republicans on the committee partnered the efforts of most Republicans in the House of Representatives who, last night, voted against caps on political donations.  Republican members of the Senate Executive committee voted as a block against the measure.

With heels in the ground, Republicans seem determined to – for the second time this year – to vote against putting in place caps on how much special interests can contribute to politicians. 

Their opposition is based on one provision that allows each caucus – Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, House Democrats and House Republicans – to coordinate and assist their own candidates in a General Election.  While the caucuses spending is not capped in the General Election, their spending is limited in Primary Elections.  However, each of these caucus committees must comply with the strict contribution limits from donors.

Senate President John Cullerton explained that the United States Supreme Court has already determined that spending by political parties cannot be limited.  And, in reality, caucus committees, known as “multi-candidate committees” serve the same purpose as a political party – to support their candidates.

Cullerton also noted that, since 1994, the five Republican members of the Senate Executive Committee have received over $2.3 million in campaign support from caucus committees. 

“I don’t see anything wrong with what they have done, because the purpose is to support people in your own political party,” Cullerton said.

Later today, SB 1466 will be presented to the full Senate within the next hour.