Redemption from scandal? Ill. ethics reform mixed

[June 03, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- Illinois politicians running for office next year can say something virtually unheard of in the state's long, shady history: We put limits on the size of campaign contributions.

But they won't actually have to abide by the limits until after the 2010 elections. And when the limits do kick in, they'll contain plenty of loopholes so that interest groups and party leaders can still make generous contributions.

The contribution limits are the centerpiece of a push to redeem Illinois from the international spectacle of watching its governor get arrested at his home last fall on federal corruption charges, just three years after his predecessor was sentenced to prison under similar circumstances.

Skeptics, though, say the ethics push produced a lot of bluster and little substance.

"I'd give ethics reform a C-minus, D-plus at best," House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego said. "And when you look at the campaign ethics bill that does absolutely nothing but perpetuate the status quo, that was a complete failure."

Lawmakers tightened oversight of state contracting in response to allegations that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich had awarded political donors with handsome government contracts.

They also beefed up the state's notoriously weak law on releasing records and made it easier for government inspectors to launch investigations and tell the public what they find.

But they ignored proposals to put limits on legislative leaders' control over the General Assembly and to shorten the campaign season by pushing back the February primary election.

Discussion of a fairer way to draw political districts after each census was postponed, and a plan to allow recall of unpopular governors, a feature of 18 other states, failed to make it out of the legislature. And a legislative committee blocked nine proposals to give law enforcement new tools to investigate and prosecute government corruption.

In the end, the legislature's handling of ethics measures was sharply criticized by a commission that had come up with dozens of reform proposals.

"If we're trying to turn down the volume of big-money politics, this doesn't do it," said Patrick Collins, chairman of the panel appointed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Illinois has virtually no restrictions on fundraising, which allowed Blagojevich, a Democrat, to solicit donations of $25,000 and $50,000 at a time. Many of his big donors ended up with government contracts or appointments to state boards.

The proposed contribution limits -- which Quinn says he'll sign -- are much higher than the limits in federal elections.

Federal candidates can accept $2,400 from individuals and $5,000 from political committees every time they face an election. Illinois candidates would be able to take $5,000 from individuals, $10,000 from businesses and associations, and $90,000 from political committees. The money could be given every year, regardless of whether a candidate was up for election.

Legislative candidates can also accept unlimited "in-kind" donations of staff and services from political parties and legislative leaders.

"It's a total sham. It's just the illusion of campaign finance reform," said Kent Redfield, director of the Sunshine Project at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Supporters of the Illinois legislation say lower limits would make it hard for challengers to come up with enough money to run against entrenched incumbents. They also argue that even relatively high limits will change things in Illinois government.

"There's a widely held perception that Illinois government is for sale to the highest bidder," said the bill's Senate sponsor, Don Harmon, D-Oak Park. "It's important that we address that perception by limiting the flow of money, especially from outside interests that may wish to influence government action."

Even critics acknowledge the legislators and the new governor came up with some valuable changes.

A stronger Freedom of Information Act may prevent the stonewalling tactics that Blagojevich used to withhold information. Stricter oversight of government contracts could keep future administrations from using tax money to reward their political pals.

Government inspectors should be able to probe corruption more aggressively, and new "revolving door" limits are meant to keep government officials from getting too cozy with the industries they regulate in hopes of landing a private job.

Cross, the House Republican leader, said he hopes more changes are still possible, even though the spring legislative session has wrapped up.

"If the public and the media stay focused on ethics and don't let the General Assembly off the hook," he said, "then there's some chance."

[Associated Press; By JOHN O'CONNOR]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.