Thursday, April 10th CHANGE IL held a rally outside the Thompson Center against political corruption in the state. CHANGE IL, a coalition of community groups headed by Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, brought together 200+ people of all ages on this cool Maundy Thursday to support HB 24, a bill put forth by Rep. Harry Osterman to limit campaign contributions and the number of political committees candidates and office holders may have at one time.
The hope is that these basic limits on money in politics will curtail corruption and make elected officials more responsive to all constituents in a state that continues to earn its reputation as the Wild West of campaign finance. Currently candidates face no limits for the amount contributors may give to their campaigns allowing those who can write massive checks an undue amount of influence. Under HB 24 candidates in Illinois would face contribution limits at the same level as Federal candidates. While those who are able to write $2,400 checks to campaigns are small minority of the state population, it does force candidates to talk to far more people in order to fund their campaigns.
After enjoying a doughnut provided by CHANGE IL and receiving my press packet, I took my spot in the crowd to experience the closest thing I will come to church this Easter season. The first speaker and MC was Rev. Patricia Watkins of the TARGET Area Development Corp who gave a call and response sermon against corruption that even got this lock-jawed congregationalist hooting and hollering. Rev. Watkins was followed by Rami Nashashibi of Inner City Muslim Action Network, Merri Dee of AARP Illinois, Peter Bensinger, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia of Enlace Chicago and the Rev. Phillip Blackwell, Senior Minister of First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple. The final speaker, Rev. Blackwell, called on us as Illinois residents to betray the old ways and betray corruption by supporting reform and rejecting the status quo.
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