Close loopholes on campaign financing

The Daily Herald’s May 6 editorial (“End candidates’ hide-the-cash power grab”) identified two loopholes in the state’s new campaign contribution limits law, and the many suburban legislators claiming to be advocates of reform should follow through and pass legislation to close those loopholes.

One loophole allows legislative leaders and political parties to make unlimited campaign contributions in general elections. Senate Bill 1272 and House Bill 1344 would close it, but legislative leaders won’t let the bills see the light of day. Legislators should be demanding the right to vote on those bills. Voters should be pressing those legislators on the sidelines of this debate.

The second loophole allows some candidates to delay disclosing the identity of some of their big contributors by accepting the money in two or more checks below $1,000. The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform found $500,000 had escaped immediate disclosure in the recent municipal elections.

Unless voters press their legislators to close these loopholes, they’ll remain wide open for the upcoming 2012 election. Legislators, especially the Democrats with majority control, should muster the courage to tell legislative leaders that these loopholes should be closed.

Peter Bensinger

Deborah Harrington

George Ranney

Co-chairs

CHANGE Illinois!

Chicago