Campaign finance measure has sticking points

There's a sticking point in negotiations over proposed campaign finance reform in Illinois.

Reform advocates said Thursday they won't support a proposal that does not limit what political parties and legislative leaders can contribute to candidates even though they like other reforms that would be part of the package, including a $5,000 cap on individual giving.

The group Change Illinois contends not having limits on political parties and legislative leaders would undercut other reforms.

"It would put more power in the hands of the few and take the power away from the local voters in the district," said Peter Bensinger, a co-chair of CHANGE Illinois, a coalition of civic, business and other groups that has been a player in reform measure negotiations.

Lawmakers will be back in Springfield next week, and House Speaker Michael Madigan's office said it planned to move ahead on a bill that does address the other campaign finance issues raised by reform groups, said Madigan spokesman Michael Weir.

"These negotiations are not going to be waylaid or thrown off track over this one issue. We're going to take the progress that's been made on all the other concerns that were raised about House Bill 7 and enact it into law," Weir said.

That was the campaign finance bill Quinn vetoed in August after lawmakers, reform groups and other people convinced him it was too weak even after he had praised it.

Campaign finance reform efforts heated up in the wake of ousted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest last year on federal corruption charges. Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to charges that he tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.

Quinn spokesman Bob Reed said the governor is "committed to working with legislative leaders, experts and activists to reach an agreement on campaign finance reform."

Madigan's office contends limiting contributions from political parties to $100,000 like the reform groups want would give the upper hand to political action committees, or PACS, and that could be an advantage for incumbents. PACS would be limited to $50,000 but more than one PAC could give to a candidate.

A spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton said his office will continue to work in "good faith" with all parties.

"We do know that for the first time ever, Illinois will have contribution limits," spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said.

Republican House Leader Tom Cross said he agreed with reform groups that there need to be contribution limits on political parties and legislative leaders.

A spokeswoman for Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno said the reform groups going public about the sticking point will focus attention on the issue.

"What it's done is bolster those who doubted that the Democrat majorities were ever serious in addressing this issue in the first place," Radogno spokeswoman Patty Schuh said.