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A federal judge has blocked the enforcement of a pair of campaign finance laws restricting contributions to judicial candidates in Illinois. The ruling opens the door for additional campaign donations ahead of Election Day on Nov. 8.

The ban on campaign donations from residents of other states, enacted in November 2021, as well as the $500,000 limit on how much a single donor can give to an independent expenditure committee supporting or opposing a candidate for judge, enacted in May, were both challenged in August by former Illinois resident Matt Chancey, conservative political committee Restoration PAC and its affiliate Fair Courts America.

Chancey, a former Lake County assistant state’s attorney who moved to Texas after living in Illinois for more than six decades, wanted to donate to the campaigns of Mark Curran, candidate for the Illinois Supreme Court, Reginald Mathews for a Lake County judgeship, Jeff Delong for the Effingham County bench and Mary Christine Heins as a judge in Jackson County, according to his complaint. […]

U.S. District Judge John Tharp ruled in the group’s favor Friday, rejecting the state’s motion to dismiss the case and granting a preliminary injunction to the plaintiff. According to the federal judge, there is no reason to believe that political speech during judicial elections is any less valuable than during other elections.

* The Tribune with more background on the lawsuit…

The lawsuit says Restoration PAC — founded by businessman Doug Traux, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in 2014 — wants to accept a contribution of more than $500,000 and to contribute more than $500,000 to Fair Courts America, both of which are prohibited by the new law. […]

The judge’s ruling applies only to the provisions on out-of-state contributions and donations to independent expenditure committees, not other portions of the laws.

Remaining in place is a $500,000 limit on contributions from individual donors in races where one candidate is self-funding or where there have been independent expenditures of more than $100,000 on behalf of one candidate.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s campaign fund already has made maximum contributions to the two Democratic candidates in races that will determine whether the party maintains its edge on the Supreme Court.

* WBEZ…

Terry Cosgrove, president and CEO of Personal PAC, an influential abortion rights fundraising arm, said in 50 years of canvassing, he’s hearing more interest in this election than ever before.

He’s mainly focused on the Illinois Supreme Court races, where Republicans hope to gain control for the first time in more than 50 years. That could threaten abortion rights, Cosgrove said. […]

Money has poured into Personal PAC’s coffers this summer after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could ban abortions. The organization has raised more than $1 million since July 1, state campaign finance records show. […]

“I’m not confident at all about the Supreme Court races,” he said. “Not a lot of people know about them. Not a lot of people even know they get a vote.”

* NBC 5…

As the race for the Illinois Supreme Court heats up with weeks to go, there are questions raised about contributions incumbent Justice Michael Burke previously received and the subsequent nominations he made.

Campaign contribution records reviewed by NBC 5 Investigates show Burke’s campaign, the “Citizens to Elect Justice Michael J Burke” committee, received $5,996 from the husband of a DuPage Circuit Court judge that Burke had nominated and later appointed for the position.

Burke also received an additional $5,550 from a company the Judge’s husband works for.

The contributions were made months prior to Judge Kavita Athanikar’s appointment to the DuPage Circuit Court bench.

* Fox…

Doctors rallied Monday in support of abortion rights. […]

Mark Curran and Michael Burke have support from Illinois Right to Life and other groups opposed to abortion rights and contraception.

These groups want no exceptions for abortions for women — even if they are victims of rape or incest.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to currently live and work in Illinois, a state that is supportive of access to full spectrum reproductive health care, including abortion and contraception,” one doctor said. “This care is rightfully viewed as essential health care in our state. I’m here to speak to you today because I’m incredibly concerned about my ability to continue to provide this care in Illinois, given what’s at stake in this upcoming election in November.”

posted by Isabel Miller
Tuesday, Oct 18, 22 @ 1:05 pm

Comments

How does Burke explain the contributions? The timing is interesting.

Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Tuesday, Oct 18, 22 @ 1:34 pm
===How does Burke explain the contributions? The timing is interesting. ===

Seems like the old “one hand washes the other”.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Oct 18, 22 @ 1:48 pm
Kavita Athanikar was the Republican slated to end for a full term. She won her primary but a few weeks ago sh pulled out of race and resigned her judgeship. Her Democratic opponent is now running unopposed and was recently put on the bench. I have never heard of such a thing before and I would love to know the real story. Lots of speculation

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Oct 18, 22 @ 2:55 pm
== As the race for the Illinois Supreme Court heats up with weeks to go, there are questions raised about contributions incumbent Justice Michael Burke previously received and the subsequent nominations he made.

Campaign contribution records reviewed by NBC 5 Investigates show Burke’s campaign, the “Citizens to Elect Justice Michael J Burke” committee, received $5,996 from the husband of a DuPage Circuit Court judge that Burke had nominated and later appointed for the position.

Burke also received an additional $5,550 from a company the Judge’s husband works for.

The contributions were made months prior to Judge Kavita Athanikar’s appointment to the DuPage Circuit Court bench. ==

I am not a fan of Justice Burke, but this story shows a lack of understanding about judicial campaigns. The candidates/judges cannot raise their own money, and in many instances have no idea who contributes.

Comment by thoughts Tuesday, Oct 18, 22 @ 3:31 pm