The BGA is urging Governor Bruce Rauner to sign into law a bill that shines a light on a dark corner of Illinois campaign spending.

In a July 7th letter to the governor, BGA CEO and President Andy Shaw outlined why Rauner should approve the measure.

The letter notes that, in some cases, watchdogs and citizens have to wait months — often until after an election — to get independent expenditure spending details for a campaign season. Senate Bill 248, which was authored and championed by the Chicago-based Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, requires spending reports within days.

BGA strongly supported SB248 and is joining with other reform groups in advocating the bill be signed into law.

July 7, 2015

Office of the Governor
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Richard.Goldberg@illinois.gov

Dear Governor Rauner,

I’m writing to convey the Better Government Association’s support for Senate Bill 248, which awaits your signature.

SB 248 requires more timely reporting of expenditures by groups spending money to support or oppose political campaigns. In some cases, due to a loophole in state campaign finance laws, those expenditures can remain hidden from the public until well after an election. It’s important progress toward greater electoral transparency that this loophole be closed.

The bill will give voters an accurate account of the money being spent by political action committees and independent expenditure committees, not only during the election season, but throughout the year. It adds a year-round requirement to report within 5 business days any independent expenditure of $1,000 or more and, in the 60 day period before an election, a requirement to report such an expenditure within 2 business days.

This reflects similar reporting requirements for contributions and coordinated expenditures.

The bill’s passage was spearheaded by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and it had bipartisan support and bipartisan sponsorship in the general assembly. Enacting into law transparency reform like this not only provides the voters more information but reminds the public that bipartisan, good government reforms are still possible in the current contentious political climate.

We urge you to sign SB248.

Sincerely,

Andy Shaw
President and CEO