Oak Park Newspaper

HISTORIC CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION
CAPS BILL SENT TO GOVERNOR

Harmon, Democrats Join Reform Advocates to Advance the Strongest
Political Transparency Law in Illinois History

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois -Assistant Majority Leader Don Harmon (D-Oak Park)
today credited the coordinated efforts of reform advocates and Democrats
for helping to send the most sweeping political reform law in state
history to Governor Pat Quinn.

Harmon, the Senate Democrats' lead negotiator and co-author of SB 1466 -
a landmark cap on political donations - said the bill is far more
comprehensive, transparent and strict than a measure rejected earlier
this year.

"In the Senate, Democrats have refused to allow political contribution
caps to die," Harmon said. "Failure wasn't an option, so we worked
harder to cut the power of insiders and special interests. With reform
advocates endorsing this bill, Governor Quinn's signature will make our
effort a success."

This Spring, legislative Democrats advanced a campaign contribution cap
bill to the Governor for the first time in state history. Almost immediately,
Republicans urged reform advocates to demand the Governor's
veto. Understanding the complaints, Democratic leaders again requested
the coordination of opponents to renew the effort.

For weeks, Harmon worked with leaders from CHANGE Illinois, an
advocacy organization that promotes the transparency of government,
to renew the effort and solve impasses before the end of the year.
The organization endorsed the measure as one that ushers in
significant, game-changing reforms to Illinois' political system.

The result is a law that establishes:

*   Real Contribution Caps
Under this bill, individuals, corporations, political committees, labor
organizations, political parties, legislative leaders/caucus committees
and special interests must follow cap mandates;

*   Historic Transparency & Disclosure Requirements
The legislation requires strict and swift reporting of contributions
throughout the year. All political committees must also file
comprehensive financial reports quarterly instead of semi-annually.

*   Strict Enforcement Measures
For the first time in state history, the independent State Board of
Elections is mandated to randomly audit political committees, as
well as to audit any committee that may have violated the law.

Today's action marks the second time this year that Senate Republicans
have voted against establishing campaign contribution caps.