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Posted: Sunday, 01 November 2009 8:03AM
Governor eager to sign campaign donation reform
Bob Roberts Reporting
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CHICAGO (WBBM/AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn said he is looking forward to signing a compromise bill that would establish Illinois' first limits on campaign donations.
"We're very happy," said Quinn, who called the measure "historic."
The Senate gave final legislative approval Friday despite Republican complaints that the bill concentrates power in the hands of a few political insiders.
Quinn disagreed, and said he is particularly pleased with the limits it places on donations for primary elections, saying it will allow the "little guy" more of a chance to compete and be heard.
"We want to have a political system that allows everyday people to participate as candidates as well as voters, make sure that we have one person one vote, not one dollar one vote, and I think this reform that passed the legislature is a giant step in the right direction," he said.
Individuals would be limited to making donations of up to $5,000 during primary campaigns. But there's an exception. Political parties and legislative leaders would be able to donate unlimited amounts for a general election.
Republicans oppose that exception. They say it will make a few political insiders more powerful than ever, particularly House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), who leads House Democrats and chairs the Illinois Democratic Party. They said that a lawmaker who wants Madigan's financial help might feel intense pressure to follow his instructions in the Legislature.
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Contents of this site are Copyright 2009 by WBBM. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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