Sweeping campaign funding, contracting reforms urged in Illinois

Campaign donors should be limited in how much they can give and the power to dole out contracts needs to be isolated from political influence to help eradicate rampant corruption in Illinois, a reform commission proposed Tuesday.

Declaring the "burden of proof has shifted," commission Chairman Patrick Collins, a former federal prosecutor, argues the state's mostly wide-open campaign donation and contracting system can no longer be justified.

"The leadership in Springfield will hopefully listen to us," said Collins, who put former Gov. George Ryan in prison for corruption.

While Collins was pushing his reform agenda, legislative leaders advanced their own plans Tuesday. House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, both Chicago Democrats, proposed dumping every state pension board member appointed by now-ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich and letting Gov. Pat Quinn pick replacements. These boards were embroiled in investment scandals during Blagojevich's tenure.

"It gives us an opportunity to start anew," Cullerton told members of the House Executive Committee that approved the plan, which includes myriad ethical and financial restrictions for new pension board members.

Afterward, Madigan said this is just the first proposal to come from a reform panel he and Cullerton assembled, saying state contracting and purchasing is likely the next target.

The legislative panel is distinct from Collins' Illinois Reform Commission, which was created by Quinn in the wake of Blagojevich's arrest on charges he shook down contractors, contenders for a U.S. Senate appointment and even the CEO of a children's hospital for large campaign donations.

Blagojevich denies any wrongdoing. A formal federal indictment is expected in the coming days.

Federal corruption investigations are ongoing into state, Cook County and Chicago government.

Collins told the Daily Herald editorial board he knows even the best-planned laws can't stop intent criminals. "You can't legislate morality," he said.

However, the reform commission argues that tighter laws and regulations system will help deter corruption or at least make it more difficult.

The proposal from the commission directly threatens the existing way of doing political business in Illinois.

Illinois' campaign laws have long allowed all potential contributors to donate any amount they want. A new law took effect this year that banned state contractors from donating to state officeholders. It came as pay-to-play allegations mounted against Blagojevich.

The reform commission wants to put Illinois campaign law more in line with federal law, limiting donations from individuals to $2,400 per election cycle and contributions from unions, businesses and interest groups to $5,000. And contributions from registered lobbyists and trusts would be banned and outside groups would have to make donors public. Additionally, campaigns would be required to report "bundlers" who hold fundraisers or gather several contributions from others that amount to more than $16,000.

The commission also wants to increase disclosure requirements to "real time" reporting, requiring donations for statewide candidates of more than $1,000 and General Assembly candidates of more than $500 to be posted within five days of receipt.

For the first time, the commission also wants to see public financing of judicial campaigns in Illinois as a sort of "pilot" project. The program could be funded by increasing registration fees to attorneys, Collins said.

On the contracting end, the commission is proposing rules to isolate procurement officials from political bosses and institute a watchdog agency to oversee state spending.

Collins says he is hoping public pressure and lawmakers who support the reform will push for change regardless of resistance from some. "I'm not the only one who is going to be mad if this thing goes into the trash bin," he said of the commission's report.

The commission is set release recommendations for other reforms, including perhaps term limits, later this month.

Daily Herald Senior State Government Editor John Patterson contributed to this report.