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End candidates’ hide-the-cash power grab

State lawmakers passed a law aimed at improving campaign finance disclosure that took effect in January. They patted themselves on the back and then quickly scurried off to find ways to subvert the intent of some of its key provisions.

The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform Thursday released a study analyzing recent campaign reports and found some alarming patterns. The law requires that candidates reveal donations of $1,000 or more within five days of receipt, year-round, or within two days close to an election. The idea here is that we all deserve to understand who is bankrolling candidates. Well, wouldn’t you know, the reform group found more than $500,000 in contributions from donors who gave $1,000 or more but were not disclosed right away because they gave the money in smaller chunks.

Twenty one candidates or committees got multiple donations from the same people on the same day so they could give a lot but apparently avoid early detection. Among those who benefitted from gaming of the system are Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and his Lt. Gov Sheila Simon — whose father, Paul, helped found the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform — and House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego.

The reform group also noted a union gave two $500 checks to the Kane County Democratic Central Committee one day and two more $500 checks to Cook County Republican Commissioner Pete Silvestri weeks later. A campaign consultant gave multiple checks to state Rep. Keith Farnham, an Elgin Democrat, among others.

This is all just the latest insulting attempt to put one over on taxpayers and keep elections from operating for the people. Meanwhile, bills that would limit how much party and legislative leaders can contribute in general elections continue to languish, even though many of our public servants vowed to fix this huge insider advantage when they were candidates last fall.

We offer our praise and thanks to the seven Senate and seven House majority Democrats who have sponsored bills to limit general election donations from parties and leaders to $175,000 for Senate and $125,000 for House candidates. The suburban Democratic sponsors include Karen May of Highland Park, Jack Franks of Marengo, Susan Garrett of Lake Forest and Michael Noland of Elgin. When will the rest of the suburban Democrats jump in and demand a debate and full vote? Among those who expressed some support for ending this power grab that squeezes out the taxpayer are state Reps. Carol Sente of Vernon Hills, Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates and Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg.

It’s not too late to close the multiple-check loophole and the one that gives strongman status to the party powers. It didn’t take long for lawmakers to find new ways to game us and the finance system. How long will it take for those of us they’re supposed to be serving to demand an end to the trickery?