(The Center Square) – Ahead of Illinois’ Nov. 5 election, state legislators approved a measure Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted into law that contains multiple provisions impacting elections. One provision impacts how parties can spend campaign money.
The law allows for political parties, like the Democrat Party of Illinois and the Illinois House Republican Organization, to funnel unlimited campaign dollars into candidates’ war chests for both primary and general elections. State Rep. Maurice West, D-Chicago, carried the bill in the House and state Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, opposed the measure.
“Were they [the political parties] not powerful enough before?” asked Wilhour.
“We’re not making them powerful,” said West.
“Money is power,” said Wilhour.
“There’s no limit in the general election and this [bill] is making it in parity with the primary election as well,” said West.
Prior to House Bill 4488 , campaign contribution caps were only applied to primary races. Now both primaries and general election candidates can receive unlimited funds from their political parties.