Reform Advocates Call for IL Campaign Limits, but Leaders are Skeptical
Good government groups want to cap individual campaign contributions to Illinois politicians.
Legislative leaders are skeptical that will clean up the state's ethical mess. Cindi Canary of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform told a joint legislative committee on ethics reform that individual contributions should be limited to $2,400 per election _ same as in federal campaigns.
The committee's co-chairmen, Sen. John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan, say limiting the amount candidates can get or parties can give would hurt in races against independently wealthy foes.
Canary is part of a group that has come together to push the issue. CHANGE Illinois set up a toll-free phone number that allows callers to be connected to their legislators to lobby for caps.