Bill > HB3698

This bill amends the Illinois Election Code to update and clarify various provisions related to campaign finance and political spending. The key provisions include replacing references to "electioneering communication" with "election spending," creating new definitions for terms like independent expenditure, coordinated expenditure, and public communication, and establishing more detailed disclosure requirements for political committees and individuals making political expenditures. Specifically, the bill introduces a comprehensive definition of "election spending" that includes express advocacy, public communications about candidates or policy questions, partisan voter activities, and related preparatory activities. It also establishes more stringent reporting requirements for independent expenditures, requiring disclosure to the State Board of Elections when expenditures reach certain monetary thresholds. The bill provides detailed criteria for determining when an expenditure is considered "coordinated" with a candidate or political party, including factors like shared personnel, fundraising interactions, and strategic communications. Additionally, the bill maintains existing penalties for non-compliance and allows for injunctive relief to prevent unauthorized political spending. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in political campaign financing in Illinois.

Government Affairs

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3698&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104