Happy Anniversary Rod Blagojevich–Pat Quinn Signs Illinois Campaign Finance Reform; Dan Hynes Hits Sour Note

Governor Pat Quinn

(Chicago, IL) — December 9, 2009. On the first anniversary of former Governor Rod Blagojevich‘s arrest, Governor Pat Quinn today signed into law a campaign finance bill that imposes Illinois’ first-ever contribution limits in Illinois.

“This new law requires politicians to be more candid, open and accountable than ever before. It is a crucial and important move in the right direction,” said Quinn at a Chicago press conference.

Senate Bill 1466, which was sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), also requires more frequent disclosure of large campaign contributions to the public.

Additionally, the new law creates the Campaign Finance Reform Task Force, which will study the impact of contribution limits and make recommendations following the 2012 and 2014 elections.

The task force, which will consist of 11 members appointed by the Governor and the Illinois General Assembly, will also study on the feasibility of implementing public financing for statewide, legislative and judicial offices and make recommendations by September 30, 2012. A final report will be issued by March 10, 2015.

Attending the bill signing ceremony, included: George Ranney, CHANGE Illinois! Co-Chair, President and CEO of Chicago Metropolis 2020; Sheila Simon, Illinois Reform Commission; Cynthia Canary, Director, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform; Dawn Clark Netsch, CHANGE Illinois! and Illinois Campaign for Political Reform; and Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).

Happy Anniversary, Rod.

But Quinn Democratic primary challenger Comptroller Dan Hynes aimed to step on the Governor’s ceremony and hit a sour note:

“One abandoned promise the Governor ought to revisit is his pledge to fumigate state government. A good place to start would be with a full accounting of the 70-plus Blagojevich era hires who remain on the state payroll, despite having been singled out by the U.S. Attorney for being involved in systematic hiring fraud…”

Oh, well. No good deed goes unpunished.

Listen to Quinn discuss the bill and his first year of cleaning up the joint: