Ethics deal faces uncertain future on governor's desk

SPRINGFIELD -- Three years in the making, an ethics plan banning contributions from state contractors to elected officials who award the contracts is on its way to the governor's desk.

But is Gov. Rod Blagojevich expected to sign it into law?

"The governor can't wait to take positive action on the bill," said spokesman Rebecca Rausch, adding that recent changes "helped, but a lot more needs to be done."

"There's no time like the present," she said.

It's possible Blagojevich will use his amendatory veto powers to change the proposal, Rausch continued. The governor previously suggested it should be expanded to limit all political giving.

Yet its sponsor and fellow Chicago Democrat, state Rep. John Fritchey, said during floor debate Saturday he hoped that wouldn't happen.

"The governor's office has the audacity to say that they wish we would improve on this," Fritchey said. "We are not under investigation. We do not award contracts. We have not been accused of doling out contracts to state contributors ... Any changes to this bill would be a slap to the face of the work of these two chambers."

The measure passed the Illinois House 114-0 Saturday in the midst of a final budget deadline and the workings of a last-minute public works funding plan.

Many lawmakers say closing loopholes to state contributions has been a long time coming, but contractors wouldn't be restricted in donating to state political parties -- which in turn could place the money in contractors' preferred candidates' coffers.

Here's a rundown of the key provisions:

• It would prohibit businesses with annual state contracts of more than $50,000 from contributing to political committees of the state executive officer who awarded the contract, or even to the fund of a challenger running for that office.

• Such state contractors must electronically register with the State Board of Elections and disclose any affiliated businesses or employees. That information must be in a searchable database with campaign finance reports.

• This donation prohibition would last until the contract-awarder left office or until two years after the contracts are cut off or expire, whichever is longer.

• If businesses violate the contribution ban three or more times within 36 months, all state contracts will be void. They would not be allowed to put in another state contract bid until three years after the last violation.

• Political committees must pay back banned contractor contributions within 30 days of the violation's notice. The money would go to the state's general revenue fund.

If the governor signs the ban into law without making any changes, it would go into in effect Jan. 1, 2009.