New state ethics law targets 'pay to play'

SPRINGFIELD - Against the political backdrop of one governor sitting in prison and another facing federal charges, Illinois will make it illegal for contractors to give campaign cash to those who can return the favor with state business.

Beginning with 2009, anyone with a state contract worth $50,000 or more will be banned from contributing to the office that awards the contract. The prohibition, supporters say, should strike at the heart of the state's "pay-to-play" political stigma that has increasingly cast doubt on nearly all state business.

Former Republican Gov. George Ryan is serving a six-year federal prison term after being convicted of trading favors and contracts to enrich himself and his family.

Current Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested by federal agents Dec. 9. Among the allegations is that he tried to leverage a $500,000 campaign contribution from a highway contractor in exchange for a $1.8 billion tollway express lane project.

Federal charges allege the governor this fall was "accelerating his corrupt fundraising activities to accumulate as much money as possible" before the new ethics law took effect. That information was used to get wiretaps of the governor's political office and house, where conversations were intercepted that led to Blagojevich's arrest.

The governor has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to fight the charges.

But he's often faced criticism about his fundraising and the ethics law came in direct response.

Key provisions include:

• Businesses with contracts or pending bids must register with state election officials naming their owners, affiliates and key executives.

• The Illinois State Board of Elections will create a searchable database with contractor information.

• Contractors must tell lawmakers when making a donation to their campaigns that they're registered with the state.

• Donations are prohibited to the state officeholder controlling the contract or any candidate for that office.

• Violations can result in contracts being voided.

Blagojevich initially rejected the deal and used his veto pen to add sweeping restrictions on what outside employment lawmakers could have and to extend the prohibition on contractor donations to political parties.

Lawmakers cast aside those changes in September.

But hurdles likely await the new law. Campaign donations have, in some instances, been considered free speech and lawsuits could threaten its enforcement.

In addition, federal transportation authorities have expressed concerns that the restrictions may run afoul of federal bidding rules. Supporters have said they believe they can work out any problems.

Ethics: Enforcement may be challenged