Senate Week in Review: Oct. 26-30

SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers acted on a number of issues during the final week of the Fall Veto Session, but state Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, said the most anticipated bill to be considered during the Veto Session — campaign finance reform — ultimately fell short of its goals.

Republican legislators joined editorial boards across the state in criticizing Senate Bill 1466, which they say doesn’t go far enough. The legislation would impose Illinois’ first-ever contribution limits on individuals, businesses and special-interest groups, but donations by political leaders and political leadership committees would only be limited during primary elections — allowing for unlimited spending during the general election.

Senate Republicans were disappointed with the measure, noting that Illinois has failed to capitalize on a unique opportunity to pass meaningful campaign finance reform. Risinger expressed support for the contribution limits in the bill, as well as more stringent transparency and disclosure measures, but said that without capping contributions limits for legislative leaders during the general election, the measure will have limited impact.

Also this week, Senate Republicans said it is time to take action on gerrymandering reform. After five public statewide hearings on redistricting reform, Risinger says lawmakers need to step forward and embrace the reform suggestions advanced by expert witnesses and Illinois citizens.

Although ideas for reform varied, several key principles emerged from the hearings:

• Politicians should not be in charge of drawing the maps;

• Maps should not be drawn based on where the incumbent legislator lives;

• When the partisan voting history of district residents is used to draw maps, it discourages competition and reduces voter choice; and

• The process should be open and transparent.

The Republican senators stressed that it’s important not to be misled by false reforms that continue to allow politicians to draw legislative districts. Some reform measures that have been advanced would simply increase the number of votes necessary to approve a map — Risinger said that would not address the current problems of influence, incumbency protection and corruption that currently taint the state’s redistricting process.

In other business, Gov. Pat Quinn announced this week that he wants to borrow an additional $900 million because the state is months behind in bill payments. Although he would not need legislative approval for the borrowing, he would need the Comptroller and Treasurer to sign off on the plan.