It takes money to run a political campaign. But some people are asking how much is too much and at what point the money donated to political campaigns becomes a hindrance to democratic elections.
In this political season, experts and elected officials will examine these questions at a public forum sponsored by several leading organizations this Sunday on the campus of Northwestern University. Grappling with the issue will be State Senator Daniel Biss, Former State Representative Beth Coulson, and David Melton of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, with Cynthia Canary of the Campaign for Economic Development serving as moderator.
Speakers will look at the history of attempts at campaign finance reform in Illinois, the current state of campaign fundraising in Illinois and the problems that come with it, and the current proposals for campaign fundraising reform. There will be time for audience participation.
The event is cosponsored by the League of Women Voters of Illinois along with the League’s Evanston and Wilmette chapters, as well as the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Democratic Party of Evanston, the Northwestern University College Democrats and the Campaign for Economic Development.
The Sunday free afternoon forum, “Campaign Finance Reform: Citizens Uniting to Resuscitate Democracy,” will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Parkes Hall (inside Alice Millar Chapel), 1870 Sheridan Road.