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Ethics bill advances but fate in Senate in doubt
05/08/2008 16:48:58
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| A Senate committee adopted legislation Wednesday to crimp pay-to-play scandals in Illinois state government. |
By The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, IL - A Senate committee adopted legislation Wednesday to crimp pay-to-play scandals in Illinois state government.
But the ethics legislation prohibiting big state contractors from giving campaign donations to elected officials faces an uncertain future.
Senate President Emil Jones, a Chicago Democrat, says the money ban has a ``gaping loophole.'' He says it simply means people will give money to political parties to distribute to candidates.
The bill would prohibit anyone who gets a $50,000 state contract from giving money to the officeholder who awarded the deal. It would ban contributions to challengers too.
It's aimed at ending scandals such as the one involving Tony Rezko. Rezko is a fundraiser for Governor Rod Blagojevich who is on trial in federal court in Chicago for allegedly demanding kickbacks from businesses seeking state work.
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