Naperville's Proposed "Ethics" Ordinances are Dangerous

Naperville's Proposed "Ethics" Ordinances are Dangerous

The debate over how to keep the financially interested from ruling our political process through campaign donations has been ongoing since the inception of our Republic. Illinois, maybe more than any other place, has seen first hand the power money has over our political process. Our last two governors (Rauner and Pritzker) have each been billionaires, able to effectively buy their elections through overwhelming campaign spending. On a more local level, Senator Laura Ellman and newly elected State Rep. Janet Rohr, were able to unseat local incumbents in large part to overwhelming attack ad spending. In the cases of Ellman and Rohr, their spending each reached well into the millions and was originated almost entirely from heavily investigated, if not already indicted, Springfield officials and also from numerous public and private unions.

Money clearly is driving our very dysfunctional political bus here in Illinois. Something needs to change. The answer is not what we see outlined under the proposed Naperville ethics ordinances. These proposed ordinances make the problem of money in politics worse by setting a dangerous precedent in which council members will decide which donors will be disadvantaged and which ones will not be. Some donors will have their donations highlighted and celebrated during a hearing yet some will never have to endure this orchestrated public shaming. Donations and/or in kind support from private unions, political parties, or partisan campaign accounts would rarely, if ever, be subject to these disclosure requirements. Their support will become that much more important to candidates in future campaigns. How is picking winners and losers in this manner "ethical", when the result is to amplify and further advantage the voices of the same stakeholders that have played the largest role in the currently shameful condition of Illinois' political process?

The proposed "ethics" ordinances are not an advancement for our community. They are a win for those that are the problem. Please join me in opposing this terrible direction. You can let your voice be heard by emailing our council at council@naperville.il.us.

Kevin Coyne
Naperville City Councilman