SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Senate signed off Friday on a compromise that would establish Illinois' first limits on campaign donations, sending it to the governor despite Republican complaints that the bill concentrates power in the hands of a few political insiders.
The bill would cap the amount of money that people, interest groups and political committees can give to candidates. The goal is to end worries that donors who give $10,000, $50,000 or even $100,000 are buying themselves special treatment from elected officials.
The caps have one major exception. Political parties and legislative leaders would face limits during primary elections but would be able to give unlimited amounts during the general election.
Critics say that means candidates would be more dependent than ever on winning the favor of someone like House Speaker Michael Madigan, who leads House Democrats and chairs the Illinois Democratic Party. A lawmaker who wants Madigan's financial help might feel intense pressure to follow his instructions in the Legislature.
"What you are asking us to do is give away our independence, give away our independence to the leaders," said Sen. Mike Jacobs of East Moline, one of the few Democrats to criticize the measure.
Gov. Pat Quinn said he looks forward to signing the "excellent" bill. He praised it as a historic step for a state that has had an anything-goes attitude toward political money.
Government watchdog groups agreed to support the measure, despite the loophole for party leaders, after weeks of negotiations with Democratic leaders. They concluded this was the best deal they could get.
Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, said voters should see it as just one step toward repairing the damage done by two consecutive scandals involving Illinois governors.
"Their confidence in state government has been eviscerated," Canary said. "This should be part of a rebuilding process."
Former Gov. George Ryan, a Republican, is in prison right now. His successor, Democrat Rod Blagojevich, was booted out of office in January after being arrested on federal corruption charges.
The measure, one of the highest-profile ethics proposals to follow Blagojevich's impeachment, passed 36-22. The House had approved it late Thursday night.
Right now, Illinois law places no cap at all on political contributions. The measure would limit candidates to taking $5,000 from individuals, $10,000 from unions, businesses and interest groups, and $50,000 from political action committees during each election cycle.
