SPRINGFIELD, IL—State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) voted today on a measure that will bring meaningful campaign finance reform to Illinois. 

“ Illinois is one of only five states in the nation with no campaign finance caps,” said Senator Delgado. “This bill takes the first steps to meaningful reform and will reign in the spending of special interests in Illinois elections.”

Senate Bill 1466 is a comprehensive proposal that will provide for contribution caps, stronger disclosure rules, and better enforcement policies.  Specifically, this legislation will provide limits ranging from $5,000 per election cycle on individuals contributions to as high as $50,000 for donations from political action committees.  Also, this law will require quarterly, rather than semi-annual, reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures.   In addition, the State Board of Elections will be required to have open meetings when they are considering contribution violation complaints.

The State Board of Elections will also randomly audit three percent of all registered political campaigns.  This bill also provides them additional tools and powers to implement ballot forfeiture for those candidates who owe fines.

“Until now, special interests have been able to contribute unlimited amounts of money to political campaigns which has given incumbents and unfair advantage in the election process,” Senator Delgado said.   “These reforms will reign in the corruption in Illinois politics.”

This legislation has passed the Senate and the House of Representatives and now goes to the Governor for his consideration.