Tribune’s Clout Street: Republicans call for more campaign cash reform

January 26, 2010

Posted by Michelle Manchir

SPRINGFIELD — House Republican leader Tom Cross today called for limits on how much legislative leaders and political party campaign committees can give to candidates in general elections, saying it was a necessary change that Democrats refused to put into a new state reform law.

The legislation was unveiled at the Capitol just a week before the Feb. 2 primary as Republicans try to show voters this year how they differ with Democrats on reforming the way elections are paid for in scandal-ridden Illinois politics. Democrats control state government and the Republicans are looking to regain relevance for the first time in years.

Cross’ legislation aims to fix what critics say is a loophole resulting from last year’s campaign finance reform measure that Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law. Democrats agreed to put limits only on contributions from legislative leaders and party committees in primary races, which are fights within each party. But they refused to apply those limits to the general election because those races are all-out warfare between Democrats and Republicans. Spending should not be limited when the fight for control of legislative chambers is at stake, Democrats argued.

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