A bill that would establish public funding for campaigns for Illinois appellate and supreme courts stalled at the end of the General Assembly Spring session. I’ve reported occasionally about the status of SB 0222. The bill would give primary winners for the appellate and supreme court seats public money for their campaigns, and also would also set contribution limits for all judicial campaigns. The bill made no provision for funding for independent or third party candidates.
When the General Assembly session ended on May 31, 2007, the bill was re-referred to the Senate Rules Committee. A 60 percent supermajority vote will be required to pass the bill this year. However, the bill can be filed next year, when passage again will require a simple majority vote. We’re safe − for now.
The full text of the bill is right here.