Continuing Momentum

In building on the success of SB 1466, the following aspects of the bill need to be strengthened to mirror the language requested by CHANGE:

The most important omission from SB 1466 is contribution limits from political party and legislative caucus committees to candidates during the general election.
As the coalition has brought to light, and the Tribune included in its critique of SB 1466, Illinois party leaders already provide 50% or more of the campaign costs in hotly contested legislative races. Without achieving the caps on leadership, the spending limits may only serve to further strengthen party leaders.

CHANGE Illinois! is fighting for reform through the following means:

Promoting trailer legislation. CHANGE has identified two General Assembly bills that have the most likely chance of passage: Senate Bill 2532, which is sponsored by Democrats Heather Steans, Michael Frerichs and William Delgado, and House Bill 6200, which is sponsored by Democrats Karen May and Jack Franks. Encourage your legislator to sign onto the legislation in both Houses of the General Assembly. Find your legislator by clicking here.
Working with the Task Force. Coalition members will work to advance campaign finance reform through the task force that will be created through SB 1466. As a starting point, the membership has begun working on a list of ideal appointees to this panel. The coalition will then work to secure their appointment and monitor the selection process of Task Force members.
Pushing for Public Financing. Creating a "clean money" campaign system remains a long-term focus for our coalition. The Task Force has been directed to include this option in its review. Likewise, CHANGE will develop ways to inform task force members, and the public, about the significance of public financing and its potential impact on Illinois politics.