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No Limits on Political Campaign Cash?
Gov. Pat Quinn's ethics reform commission members are used to hearing lots of hew and cry for campaign finance limits. But not everyone is offering advice this commission agrees with. Bradley Smith, head of the Center for Competitive Politics, says contribution limits would not have prevented the Blagojevich scandal. Smith claims there's "very little evidence" that such restrictions really fix the problems.

Another national expert disagrees. Michael Malbin, executive director of the Campaign Finance Institute in Washington D.C. , says a two-level limit system could help. He says no state has ever tried it, but he suggests that Illinois try allowing higher donations for new challengers, but once a campaign caught up, it would have to accept the lower amounts of cash.

Other experts -- and candidates -- think campaign finance reform has to include campaign contribution limits. Sheila Simon of Carbondale instituted her own $50 per person contribution limit, and says she never had to think about whether she was offending a big-dollar donor. Quinn's commission plans to have recommendations ready to announce this spring.

(Illinois Radio Network)
03 02 09 by Newsroom
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