Editorial: Veto bill lifting state campaign donation limits
Illinois Democratic majorities sent Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn a bill that would lift contribution caps to a state candidate if a super PAC starts funneling money to help his or her opponent.
While that seems a reasonable attempt to level the election playing field, it is one in a series of changes that are steadily eroding attempts to limit the big money influence in state elections.
We know that the U.S. Supreme Court already has ruled that such limits at the federal level are unconstitutional. We also know that, since that so-called Citizens United ruling, wealthy individuals and super PACs are steadily hijacking political discourse in this country.
We must find some acceptable way to limit contributions, and thereby, preserve the voice of the individual voters here and nationwide.
Following the conviction of former Gov. George Ryan and the indictment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Quinn created a task force that recommended a series of campaign finance changes. In 2011, after several of those recommendations were discarded, an Illinois law took effect that limited money that could be given to statewide and legislative candidates in primaries by people, groups or political action committees. That law also created a task force that should be allowed to study super PACs here before any more laws are enacted.
But now, a bill approved solely by House and Senate Democratic majorities, has been sent to Quinn. It would remove all contribution limits if an independent group spends $100,000 in a legislative race or $250,000 in a statewide race. We agree with the Illinoic Campaign for Political Reform that the bill needs to more specifically define what kind of “independence” is allowed. For instance, can a rich Quinn friend or former worker spend millions just to help him alone?
In essence, any wealthy contributor could create a super PAC and spend millions or more if he or she wanted. That, then, would give the other side in that race free rein to spend at will. The election equivalent of an arms race would begin. This bill practically invites super PACs to play in Illinois.
The Change Illinois! coalition that has fought to improve campaigns and ethics notes only one Northwest suburban legislator, lame-duck state Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat, spoke out and voted against this bill. What a disappointment.
To say Quinn has a conflict of interest in considering this bill is an understatement. He and all legislators do every time they change election rules.
Quinn’s public persona in a lifetime of activism has been as a champion for the little guy, for fair play. No, it’s not fair if one side has super PAC support and the other doesn’t, but neither is it fair to let super PACs run away with our election process. Quinn has demonstrated courage and leadership on our Medicaid and pension crises this year. He should muster the courage to veto this campaign spending bill too.