State of Illinois Archives: on Government Reform

Darren Bailey: Strongly supports and advocates for term limits

Darren Bailey fights for the working people, not the political elites. As a legislator, he refuses state pension benefits and believes that perks for elected officials only contribute to wasteful spending problems. Darren strongly supports and advocates for term limits to prevent career politicians from advancing their own agendas, rather than what is best for Illinois. As Governor, he will promote transparency and ensure safeguards against powerful government overreach. Source: 2021 Gubernatorial campaign website BaileyForIllinois.com May 30, 2021

Darren Bailey: Opposed bipartisan insurrection commission; it's nonsense

At his news conference, Bailey did not back away from remarks he made last week condemning U.S. Republican Reps. Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger for their support of a bipartisan commission on the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In a Facebook live video, Bailey called the commission "nonsense." Bailey said a commission was unnecessary because "that's being taken care of in the courts of law." Source: The Chicago Sun-Times on 2022 Illinois Governor race May 25, 2021

J.B. Pritzker: Pass ethics legislation, restore public trust

It's time to pass ethics legislation this year. Nobody should hold the title of both legislator and lobbyist at the same time. We need meaningful disclosure of conflicts of interest. We must end the General Assembly's revolving door allowing legislators to get paid as lobbyists the day after they leave office. Restoring the public's trust is of paramount importance. There is too much that needs to be done. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature Feb 17, 2021

J.B. Pritzker: End legislators serving as paid lobbyists

We must take action to restore the public's trust in our government. That's why we need to pass real, lasting ethics reform this legislative session. It's time to end the practice of legislators serving as paid lobbyists. In fact it's time to end the for-profit influence peddling among all elected officials at every level of government in Illinois. Disclosure of conflicts of interest and punishment for breaching them must be included in any ethics package for us to truly clean up government. Source: 2020 Illinois State of the State address Jan 29, 2020

Mark Curran: Supports term limits for Congress

Curran said, "Dick Durbin is part of the status quo that has led our great country and our hard-working families to the brink of bankruptcy due to record federal government spending, record federal government borrowing and record federal government debt with no end in sight. We can't change Washington until we change the people in Washington, so I say that we need to enforce our own term limits. Anyone who has been in Washington DC for more than 12 years needs to be sent home." Source: Shelbyville Daily Union on 2020 Illinois Senate race Oct 10, 2019

J.B. Pritzker: Overturn Citizens United; strengthen campaign finance laws

Campaign Finance: Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations and unions?

Pritzker: No. Wants to overturn it, and strengthen Illinois campaign finance laws.

Rauner: Unknown.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Illinois Governor race Nov 1, 2018

J.B. Pritzker: Expand voting rights of prisoners until convicted

Voting Rights: Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements or reduced registration times, even if they prevent some people from voting?

Pritzker: No. Running mate supports process to expand voting rights of prisoners who haven't yet been convicted.

Rauner: No. But vetoed legislation that would have expanded rights to prisoners who haven't yet been convicted.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Illinois Governor race Nov 1, 2018

Anne Stava-Murray: Favor legislative term limits

Term limits for legislative leaders are necessary to avoid dangerous consolidations of power. If eight years is good enough for the president, it should be good enough for Illinois House legislative leaders. Elections should be enforceable term limits for legislators. Source: Chicago Daily Herald on 2020 Illinois Senate race Oct 22, 2018

Anne Stava-Murray: End gerrymandering and voter suppression

One of the largest barriers to competitive elections is the unfair mapping process that prioritizes making "safe" seats for each party. We need campaign finance reform to reduce the undue influence of donors and political parties. We need an end to voter suppression tactics in all their various forms. Finally, there are extreme barriers to entry to getting on the ballot that could be reduced at almost every point. Source: Chicago Daily Herald on 2020 Illinois Senate race Oct 22, 2018

Ameya Pawar: Automatic voter registration

Voting is at the center of our civic life. Eliminating barriers that keep people from the ballot box are key to competitive elections, which ensure elected officials are responsive to the needs of their communities. That's why Ameya supports automatic voter registration, which would register virtually every adult to vote unless they decline. Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website pawar2018.com Sep 1, 2017

Chris Kennedy: Automatic voter registration

Kennedy believes that Illinois' government is rigged. Illinois' regressive tax system takes more money from the low-income and middle class pockets than almost any other state. The only way to fix our broken government is to make elected officials accountable to the people who put them in office. Chris supports automatic voter registration, setting term limits, and redistricting reform that ensures rural communities and communities of color are fairly represented. Source: 2018 Illinois Gubernatorial website KennedyForIllinois.com Sep 1, 2017

Bruce Rauner: Automatic voter registration when getting any state ID

Legislative Summary: The Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections shall establish an automatic voter registration program that:

If an application, or renewal, a change of address form, for a driver's license, then that application shall serve as a dual-purpose application.
The dual-purpose application shall also serve as an application to register to vote in Illinois; provide the applicant with an opportunity to affirmatively decline to register to vote

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 48-0-11 on May 5; passed House 115-0-3 on May 29; signed by Gov. Rauner on Aug. 28. Source: Illinois legislative voting records: SB 1933 Aug 28, 2017

Jeanne Ives: Automatic voter registration when getting any state ID

Legislative Summary: The Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections shall establish an automatic voter registration program that:

If an application, or renewal, a change of address form, for a driver's license, then that application shall serve as a dual-purpose application.
The dual-purpose application shall also serve as an application to register to vote in Illinois; provide the applicant with an opportunity to affirmatively decline to register to vote

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 48-0-11 on May 5; Rep. Jeanne Ives voted YEA; passed House 115-0-3 on May 29; signed by Gov. Rauner on Aug. 28. Source: Illinois legislative voting records: SB 1933 May 29, 2017

Daniel Biss: Political system favors billionaires & machine politicians

State Sen. Daniel Biss formally announced his Democratic candidacy for governor, assailing a broken system he says favors his political opponents. "We have a political system where billionaires and machine politicians are the ones who are listened to. That's the system we have to change," Biss, who has represented Evanston for six years in legislature, said in a 25-minute Facebook Live video.

"We have to build a movement of the people because the question fundamentally is, 'Who do politicians feel obligated to listen to?' In Illinois, the public has set very low expectations and we can understand why," he said.

Biss' indictment of Illinois' system of government covered a wide swath, including not only Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner but also Democratic rivals for governor. Rauner dismissed Biss as "part of the system."

Source: Chicago Tribune on 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race Mar 20, 2017

Daniel Biss: Automatic voter registration when getting any state ID

Legislative Summary: The Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections shall establish an automatic voter registration program that:

If an application, or renewal, a change of address form, for a driver's license, then that application shall serve as a dual-purpose application.
The dual-purpose application shall also serve as an application to register to vote in Illinois; provide the applicant with an opportunity to affirmatively decline to register to vote

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 48-0-11 on May 5; Sen. Daniel Biss sponsored bill on Feb.14 and then voted YEA; passed House 115-0-3 on May 29; signed by Gov. Rauner on Aug. 28. Source: Illinois legislative voting records: SB 1933 Feb 14, 2017

Jim Oberweis: Automatic voter registration when getting any state ID

Legislative Summary: The Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections shall establish an automatic voter registration program that:

If an application, or renewal, a change of address form, for a driver's license, then that application shall serve as a dual-purpose application.
The dual-purpose application shall also serve as an application to register to vote in Illinois; provide the applicant with an opportunity to affirmatively decline to register to vote

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 48-0-11 on May 5; Sen. Jim Oberweis voted YEA; passed House 115-0-3 on May 29; signed by Gov. Rauner on Aug. 28. Source: Illinois legislative voting records: SB 1933 Feb 14, 2017

Bruce Rauner: The people demanded fair districting; judges denied them

We worked hard to change our broken political system and restore competitive general elections in our state. We encouraged the people of Illinois to put more than one million signatures on petitions to get term limits and fair maps on the ballot. Unfortunately, our judges, who themselves are elected through our state political process, decided that a million signatures weren't enough. They decided that only you, the members of the General Assembly, could pass the necessary legislation to enable the voters to have their say.

I ask you [the legislature] today, on behalf of all the people of Illinois--Democrats and Republicans--please do the right thing and pass the bills to put term limits and fair maps on the ballot. Let the people decide these issues for themselves. End the power of incumbency and special interest groups, and give power back to the people of our state. Illinois turns 200 in 2018.

Source: 2017 State of the State address to Illinois Legislature Jan 25, 2017

Raja Krishnamoorthi: Campaign finance reforms to enable citizen participation

Raja opposes the unfettered influx of corporate and special interest money in politics made possible by the Supreme Court's wrong-headed Citizens United decision. Raja will work to make sure that the voices of working people and the poor aren't drowned out by special interests.

First, Raja supports a constitutional amendment to overturn the effects of Citizens United by stipulating that the rights guaranteed in the Constitution are only inherent to natural persons--not to corporations.
Second, Raja will work to eliminate so-called "dark money" from elections by requiring all organizations to disclose their contributions--including those that currently hide their activities by claiming they are for "social" or "educational" purposes.

Third, Raja will push for campaign finance reforms that enables more citizens to participate in our democracy. He will advocate for increased public financing of elections, and broader access to our public airwaves for credible candidates. Source: 2016 Illinois House campaign website RajaForCongress.com Nov 8, 2016

Bruce Rauner: Pursue devolution to control costs

To create true long-term property tax relief for our taxpayers, we've got to give local governments a way to control costs. Some have said local control is impossible, and yet many in this Chamber have embraced it before, voting repeatedly to give Chicago more control in its contracting and collective bargaining rules. We should not force other mayors and school boards to come to Springfield to beg for more control. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Illinois legislature Jan 27, 2016

Bruce Rauner: Term limits need to be voted on

The people of Illinois deserve the chance to vote on term limits. The state Supreme Court made it clear that it takes legislative action to put term limits on the ballot. This is the year to make that happen. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Illinois legislature Jan 27, 2016

Napoleon Harris: Automatic voter registration when getting driving license

Senator Harris co-sponsored legislation SB2134: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that each person applying at a driver services facility for a driver's license or permit, a corrected driver's license or permit, an Illinois identification card or a corrected Illinois identification card shall be notified that the person shall be registered (rather than may apply to register) to vote, and if his or her address has changed, his or her voter registration information shall be updated (rather than may be transferred upon application) to the new address within this State. Provides that the person may decline to register to vote and the employee or the Secretary of State shall not transmit the person's information to the applicable election authority. Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2015-2016 Illinois voting record May 18, 2015

Bruce Rauner: Reduce lobbyist influence; push for term limits

Illinois has one of the most expensive state governments in America, yet we have the worst run government bar none. Why?

Illinois has been completely taken over by special interest groups that get money from government. The lobbyists write the bills for special interests, the career politicians in both parties let it happen--and we, the taxpayers, get left with the bill. It's time to make government work for us, not the other way around.

Push for term limits. No governor should be allowed to serve for more than 8 years, and the legislature should be term limited as well.
Allow state workers to choose whether they want to join a government employees union, instead of being forced to do so.
Control spending, because bigger government means more corruption.

Source: 2014 Illinois Gubernatorial campaign website BruceRauner.com Nov 4, 2014

Sharon Hansen: Photo ID for voting

Question topic: People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Hansen: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Illinois Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Napoleon Harris: Allow voter registration on Election Day or at early voting

HB 105 Authorizes Election Day Voter Registration: Bill Passed Senate (39 - 17); Napoleon Harris voted Yea

Extends the grace period for voter registration through Election Day
Authorizes an individual to cast a provisional ballot if that individual registered to vote during the grace period.
Authorizes a "qualified" individual to register to vote or submit a change of address form at an early voting polling place
Extends the early voting period for the 2014 general election through the second day before Election Day
Exempts an individual who votes early during the 2014 general election from being required to present an identification card in order to vote
Requires an election authority that has universities in its jurisdiction to conduct in-person absentee voting on Election Day in a "high-traffic" location on campus
Requires an early voting polling place to remain open at least 9:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. beginning 8 days before Election Day

Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2014 Illinois voting records May 30, 2014

Doug Truax: Political class fails to put interests of taxpayers first

Doug Truax lashed out at state Sen. Jim Oberweis' "yes" vote on Tuesday's landmark pension reform bill. "Illinois is the worst run state in America due to a political class--largely Democrats--that consistently fails to put the interests of everyday taxpayers first," Truax said in a statement. "My opponent, Jim Oberweis, knows this but voted anyway in favor of a tepid pension reform bill that is likely to result in further tax increases and a continued stagnant economy. Every other financial 'fix' passed in Springfield the past decade has harmed taxpayers. Mr. Oberweis needs to explain why he so easily voted with the status quo that never solves problems but rather transfers them to the next generation."

Oberweis voted in favor of the measure that promises to ultimately save the state $160 billion. In his remarks from the Illinois Senate floor, Oberweis said the bill wasn't true reform--but it was the best that Illinois was going to get right now.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times on 2014 Illinois Senate race Dec 4, 2013

Pat Quinn: Online voter registration and no party in primary voting

In our Illinois, we embrace the voices and the votes of all people. Our democracy is strongest when more voters raise their voices at the ballot box.

That's why Illinois should join 15 other states in making voter registration available online. We must move our election process into the 21st century. And while we're at it, let's pass a long overdue law to allow voters to participate in primary elections without having to publicly declare their party affiliation.

Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Illinois Legislature Feb 6, 2013

Pat Quinn: Enact power of petition to recall a corrupt governor

In our Illinois, government belongs to the people, not to the office holders. Citizens should be able at all times to trust their elected officials. Four years ago, Illinois was the Wild West of campaign fundraising. We had a corrupt governor removed from office and headed to prison, and another already in prison, both for fundraising abuses. This was not our Illinois. So we changed it. We passed a strong ethics code for office holders and public employees. For the first time in history, we enacted campaign contribution limits.

And we gave the people of Illinois the ability to use the power of petition to recall a corrupt governor. But we have more work to do.

In 1976, I led a petition drive to ban conflict of interest voting in the General Assembly. 635,158 voters signed this petition--the greatest number of signatures ever gathered on a single petition in Illinois history. Silence about conflict of interest voting wasn't our Illinois then, and it's not our Illinois now. We can do better.

Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Illinois Legislature Feb 6, 2013

Andrea Zopp: Voter ID laws are intended to limit the Black vote

Black voter apathy is simply wrong in light of our history and the current attacks across the country on our right to vote.

Let's start with our history. Prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, African Americans across the country, but particularly in the South, were systematically prevented from exercising their right to vote. My own grandfather who lived in Mississippi was told that in order to vote he had to recite the Bill of Rights to the Constitution from memory.

History repeats itself. We entered this election season with voter ID and other types of voter suppression laws in 17 states that could deprive an estimated 700,000 young people of color the right to vote. Across the country, but particularly in critical swing states like Florida, Virginia and Ohio, efforts are underway to limit the Black vote.

If Black votes mean nothing, if African Americans have no political power, no ability to influence or effect government, why are people so intent on preventing us from voting?

Source: Huffington Post column by Zopp for 2016 Illinois Senate race Oct 12, 2012

Pat Quinn: Limits on campaign contributions and much more disclosure

Obviously, the events that preceded my Oath of Office shook the confidence of the people of Illinois. So we went about the task: we enacted strong standards with respect to procurement and contracts. We reformed the behavior; we enacted strong ethic standards for lobbyists as well as state employees.

We enacted a campaign finance reform law that I did sign, that is for the first time a chance to have limits on campaign contributions in the State of Illinois and much more disclosure and openness with respect to money and politics. I think that's a great achievement.

I think we do need in Illinois, what I would call, an ethics initiative that we would put into our constitution that would give voters at every level of government - whether it be the local level, or county level, or the state level - the power to petition and binding referendum to enact binding ethical standards and campaign finance rules that the people feel are appropriate for all of us who are elected representatives.

Source: Illinois 2010 State of the State Address Jan 13, 2010

Alexi Giannoulias: Public election financing reduces special interest influence

Alexi is the first US Senate candidate in Illinois history to refuse campaign contributions fro federal lobbyists & corporate PACs.
Alexi supports making government more transparent. He firmly believes that an open government will help restore the public's trust in elected officials & make it easier for taxpayers to hold leaders accountable.
Alexi would spearhead the effort to create a public "contracts and influence" database, to track campaign contributions made by government contractors and the services they provide.
Alexi will work to dramatically increase lobbyist disclosure requirements.
Across the country, states and local governments have implemented publicly financed campaigns. Public financing of elections limits runaway spending and reduces the influence of special interest money in the campaign process.

Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, AlexiForIllinois.com, "Issues" Dec 25, 2009

Alexi Giannoulias: Wasteful programs go hand-in-hand with campaign contributors

Our campaign finance system is broken. While the campaign coffers of D.C. politicians are flush with corporate cash, Americans have seen their health care costs double, and their jobs shipped overseas. It's the most open secret in Washington: pay-to-play politics, sweetheart deals and wasteful programs often go hand-in-hand with deep-pocketed campaign contributors. Alexi's very first action as Illinois State Treasurer was to sign the strongest ethics order in state government. Source: 2010 Senate campaign website, AlexiForIllinois.com, "Issues" Dec 25, 2009

Alan Keyes: Reinstate that state legislatures elect US Senators

Q: [to Keyes]: You�ve publicly endorsed the repeal of the 17th Amendment, which gives individual voters rather than the state legislature the right to choose their US Senators. I�m just wondering how you reconcile your claim to empower voters when you would disenfranchise them in your own Senate race.

KEYES: Senators were originally chosen by the state legislatures for the simple reason that the US Senate was supposed to represent the state government as sovereign entities. Our laws in Illinois are passed by the state legislature. Are the people disenfranchised in the passing of these laws? I don�t think so.

OBAMA: I think [Illinois citizens] should be voting, not state legislatures. I teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago and I understand that�s how the constitution was framed. It also prohibited anyone but white, male property owners from voting. That�s why we had amendments. It�s a funny way to empower people to take their vote away.

Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes Oct 21, 2004

Barack Obama: Electing US Senators empowers people: keep 17th Amendment

Q: [to Keyes]: You�ve publicly endorsed the repeal of the 17th Amendment, which gives individual voters rather than the state legislature the right to choose their US Senators. Doesn�t that disenfranchise people?

OBAMA: Listen, I love my colleagues in the state legislature but I think [Illinois citizens] should be voting, not state legislatures. I have a little understanding about our constitution because I teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago and I understand that�s how the constitution was framed. It also prohibited anyone but white, male property owners from voting. That�s why we had amendments. It�s a funny way to empower people to take their vote away.

Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes Oct 21, 2004

Mike Bost: No political contributions from the gambling industry

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support banning political contributions from the gambling industry?

A: Yes.

Source: 2000 Illinois National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

The above quotations are from State of Illinois Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Government Reform. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2020 Presidential contenders on Government Reform:*
	*Democrats running for President:* Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO) V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE) Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC) Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT) Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ) Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Rep.John Delaney (D-MD) Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA) Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT) CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA) Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Marianne Williamson (D-CA) CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY) *2020 Third Party Candidates:* Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI) CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV) Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI) Howie Hawkins (G-NY) ~~Gov.Gary Johnson~~(L-NM) ~~Howard Schultz~~(I-WA) Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)	*Republicans running for President:* ~~Sen.Ted Cruz~~(R-TX) ~~Gov.Larry Hogan~~ (R-MD) ~~Gov.John Kasich~~(R-OH) V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) ~~Gov.Mark Sanford~~ (R-SC) Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY) Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL) Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY) *2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:* Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA) Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC) Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK) Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO) Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA) Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL) Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA) Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX) Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA) Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA) Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021