HR0505 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0505 LRB096 13207 JDS 27823 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, According to a January 2009 public opinion poll, roughly three-quarters of Illinois residents indicated they believe that comprehensive campaign finance reform would make "a big difference" or "some difference" in making State government work better; and

WHEREAS, According to that same poll, 81% of the public has indicated that it trusts State government to do the right thing "some of the time" or "almost never"; and

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois and members of the General Assembly have a duty to thoroughly discuss and analyze the effects of any changes made to the current campaign finance system to ensure that reform is meaningful and reflective of the will of the people of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created the Campaign Finance Reform Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be charged with the following tasks:

(1) analyzing the public policy implications of regulating the campaign finance system of the State of Illinois;

(2) analyzing current campaign finance law to ensure the proposal is in accordance with the accepted jurisprudence;

(3) ensuring that any recommended system would reflect the best practices of other jurisdictions;

(4) ensuring that the enforcement and disclosure of any campaign finance system be integral to the proposal; and

(5) recommending a comprehensive campaign finance model for adoption in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be composed of the following:

(1) Two legislative members, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(2) Two legislative members, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) Two legislative members, appointed by the House Minority Leader;

(4) Two legislative members, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(5) Two members of a statewide labor organization, appointed by the Governor;

(6) Two representatives of a business organization, appointed by the Governor;

(7) Four members of the general public, appointed by the Governor;

(8) One member, appointed by the Governor, who shall act as Chair; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the staff of the State Board of Elections, shall be responsible for staffing the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall hold public hearings on campaign finance regulation, no less than one per month, between July of 2009 and October of 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall recommend a campaign finance reform proposal that will curtail public corruption and promote confidence in the operation of Illinois government; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall report its finding to the Illinois House of Representatives on or before November 1, 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the House Minority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, the Governor, and the Board members of the State Board of Elections.