As a strong and fervent supporter of campaign finance reform, I was pleased to see that the Tribune ran a series of articles beginning Oct. 5 detailing how much of a part money plays in politics. The Center for Public Integrity provided the information that shows that big-money donors to political campaigns have too much influence on the legislative process.
However, there is some good news to accompany the bad news that private citizens have less of a voice in our political process. There will be legislation supported by Senate and House Democrats this fall to limit campaign contributions from individuals and political action committees. The bill also bans the personal use of campaign funds by legislators, stops gifts of value to state officials and employees from those who do business with the state, and tightens the state’s purchasing contract procedures to prevent political influence. It is one of the toughest campaign finance bills ever advanced in Springfield.
I was the sponsor of such bills this year in the Senate, including the only bill to stop major contractors from giving money to elected officials. However, Republicans in the majority in the Senate would not even give these bills a hearing, even though they were introduced eight months ago. I believe these newspaper stories should serve as a wakeup call that we must act now to change our system.
