Quinn nixes executive order on campaign contributions

Gov. Pat Quinn has canceled his predecessor's sweeping ban on campaign contributions from companies doing business with the state.

The executive order Quinn signed keeps intact ethics reforms the Legislature approved last year banning constitutional officers from engaging in pay-to-play politics. But it blocks ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's order last fall that included state legislators in the ban. Quinn signed the new executive order Friday, citing confusion over the scope of the former governor's measure and pointing to two ethics commissions that have been created to recommend changes.

Quinn's office did not return a call seeking comment Monday. Lawmakers voted to prohibit people or businesses with more than $50,000 in state contracts from donating to the state constitutional officers who oversee those contracts. Blagojevich's measure attempted to block those contractors from donating to members of the General Assembly or any candidate running for state office.

Blagojevich claimed the measure was more comprehensive ethics reform, but lawmakers have little say over state contracts. Lawmakers said Blagojevich's executive order had no teeth because it was not an Illinois statute. They also said Blagojevich could repeal it at any time.

Blagojevich was later removed from office and indicted on charges he squeezed political donations and favors from state contractors, among other allegations. Lawmakers are now focusing on additional ethics reforms, and two committees have been created to generate a battery of recommendations, including capping campaign contributions and increasing government transparency.