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this requirement. We anticipate that the makes these numbers more interesting.
Governor will sign both items of legislation, as Ordinarily, there is a finite amount of budget that
we have received only favorable feedback from each party has to fund elections. This means
the Department and Governor’s staff. that many campaigns never get a second look
In addition, Legislation opposed by the because there is not enough money to fund
League generally failed to move. This included long shot campaigns in otherwise safe political
multiple bills (HB 5480, HB 5484, HB 5485, HB districts. This year, because of the personal
5486 and HB 5487), that unnecessarily and wealth of both the Governor and his democrat
negatively increased protections to debtors. challenger its likely that these campaigns will
None of these damaging bills passed this year. receive an infusion of cash that might make
Efforts to increase taxes on financial institutions them more competitive.
and investment companies, such as HB 4293 The other interesting aspect of this
that added a new 20% tax on investment campaign season is the Governor’s race. The
services and HB 4798 that created a personal race is now a three-way race, with independent
property tax replacement tax also died. SB former republican Senator, Sam McCann filing
748, that the League was neutral on due to his nominating petitions under the Conservative
a previous negotiation with the Department Party. While McCann has almost no chance of
of Financial and Professional Regulation, did winning, he does likely pull votes from the major
pass and has been sent to the Governor. This party candidates, predominately from Rauner.
legislation eliminates the Savings Bank Board Rauner (R) and Pritzker (D) are both billionaires
and gives Savings banks a position on the who are committed to spending previously
State Bank Board. unheard of sums of money on their elections.
Despite the fact that it was a relatively This will buy up much of the available media
active legislative year, the more interesting time and will likely make local and regional
thing is the incredibly active campaign year. races more expensive. Pritzker has the lead in
There are 17 contested races in the Illinois nearly every early credible poll; however, the
Senate and 63 contested races in the Illinois election is still a long way off and Rauner has
House. Not only is this an unprecedented been having success tying Pritzker to Madigan
number, but the money available this year who has negatives equal to Rauner’s own
negatives.
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June 2018 IllInoIs RepoRteR
