STATE LEADERS

Instituting Campaign Finance Reform A Priority for Illinois Legislator

No individual or political group should have the opportunity to exercise disproportionate influence over candidates through their contributions to campaigns, believes Illinois Representative Julie Hamos (Flemming Fellow 2000). Hamos recently authored and successfully championed a comprehensive campaign finance reform bill in the Illinois House of Representatives for statewide campaigns (HB 1776, The Clean Elections Act). By placing limits on campaign financing and providing matching funds, the Clean Election Act frees candidates from the pressures of constant fundraising, provides a level financial playing field for statewide campaigns and reduces the influence of special interests in state policymaking. "Candidates should be able to win on the basis of their ideas and experience, not the amount of exposure their money can acquire for them," states Hamos, who spoke stridently about the benefits of this bold initiative on the House floor and worked with Illinois Citizen Action to mobilize grassroots support. Beginning in the 2002 elections, statewide candidates who voluntary participate in Clean Elections financing would agree to campaign expenditure limits. HB 1776 provides four dollars in public money for every one dollar raised by candidates through a voluntary check-off by taxpayers on their income tax form and sets a $1000 cap on campaign contributions. If only 17% of Illinois taxpayers donate just $10 through the check-off each year, all statewide campaigns can be funded through the Clean Election Fund. "I am committed to campaign finance reform so that we can reduce the influence of special interests in Illinois and restore confidence in our system of democracy," says Hamos. Hamos serves on six legislative committees, several task forces and is a gubernatorial appointee to the Illinois Workforce Investment Board. Hamos is also committed to creating equity among school districts in Illinois; supporting families transitioning from welfare to work; and a job training and workforce development system that responds to the needs of both employers and workers.