By Rey Lopez-Calderon and Brian Gladstein -
...In 1979, the Coalition for Political Honesty, headed by activist (now Gov.) Pat Quinn, passed the Cutback Amendment, reducing the size of the Illinois House by one-third and eliminating the system of cumulative voting that was used to select its members. Ironically, that reform paved the path for a one-party state, fortifying today's machine politics in Springfield.
The second reform was secured after former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, now incarcerated, embarrassed our state on an international level. Campaign contribution limits and disclosure were going to help us rein in such shady politicians who would sell political offices. The good disclosure changes were offset by the language that failed to limit the state's four tops (House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno and House Republican Leader Tom Cross). Party leaders now can spend limitlessly via political action committees. Thanks to a recent amendment removing all contribution limits where an independent expenditure committee spends at least $100,000 in a local race ($250,000 in a statewide race), we now have a majority party (Democrats) that is afforded a monetary advantage over both incumbents and potential challengers. ...More HERE
