Illinois lawmakers top list of campaign cash spenders for childcare
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan weighed in on Illinois lawmakers’ use of a 2021 law permitting campaign funds to be spent on childcare.
“When a reform intended to lower barriers to public service is overwhelmingly benefiting a couple of incumbents with flush campaign accounts, it’s fair to ask if it has drifted from its original purpose,” she said. “Campaign funds are not supposed to function like personal checking accounts. The ban on using campaign money for personal expenses like gym memberships exists to prevent political contributions from becoming private financial benefits and to reduce the risk of pay-to-play politics. Supporting parents in public service is important, but reforms like this also need reasonable guardrails to ensure they’re serving their real function and maintaining public trust.”
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