In this week’s cover story on the outrageous ways Illinois lawmakers spend their campaign funds, our Bruce Rushton quotes one state senator saying the public isn’t interested in this subject. “What is the concern?” asks Sen. Kimberly Lightford. “The public isn’t making any contributions to our campaigns.” Indeed, most political contributions come from corporations, special interest groups and super-rich individuals, not ordinary citizens. But once people read about how legislators spend campaign funds for fancy trips and meals and cars, and skirt even the few laws there are on the use and reporting of what amount to personal slush funds, good citizens may become more concerned. It may not be their money being spent, but it is their democracy being bought and sold. –Fletcher Farrar, editor and publisher
This article appears in Mar 17-22, 2016.
