Rep. Cross’ letter to Gov. to make campaign finance better

October 30, 2009 

Honorable Pat Quinn

Governor of Illinois

207 State House

Springfield, IL  62706 

Dear Governor Quinn: 

When you vetoed House Bill 7 in a remarkable ceremony on August 28^th you gave us an opportunity to fundamentally reform campaign finance in Illinois. Last night, with the passage of SB 1466 we squandered that opportunity by passing a bill which places limitations on everyone else, but leaves legislative caucus and party campaign funds unregulated in General elections. 

The people of Illinois want real reform, not more of the same.  Unfortunately, Senate Bill 1466 comes up short. The Chicago Tribune made this fact clear in today’s editorial: “But in the end this bill is a win for the status quo – and a loss for Illinois voters.” 

Governor, you have long been lauded as a reform-minded leader.  I am asking you, on behalf of the House Republican caucus and the people of Illinois, to use your amendatory veto authority to change Senate Bill 1466 into a real, meaningful campaign finance reform law.  

I filed House Amendment No. 4 to Senate Bill 1466 to make the limits on party/caucus contributions apply not only during primary elections, but also during general elections.  This change is the real campaign finance reform Illinois so desperately needs.  I ask you to incorporate our amendment into the bill via an amendatory veto. 

For too long, Illinois has been seen as the Wild West because of our weak campaign finance laws.  Pay-to-play corruption has made our state a laughingstock and has forced Illinoisans to look at state government with a cynical eye.  Yet, even in light of all of this, the majority of the members of the General Assembly are unwilling to regulate themselves on this issue.  You have the opportunity to add perhaps the most important piece of campaign reform with the stroke of a pen. 

Governor, I ask you to take action to restore the public’s trust in our government.  I urge you to issue an amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1466 so that we can enact a campaign finance reform law that truly reflects the will of the people. 

Sincerely, 

Tom Cross

House Republican Leader