Madigan
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - A political action committee led by a former Republican candidate for governor has filed a lawsuit over Illinois' Election Code, claiming that certain campaign contribution limits violate its constitutional rights to equal protection and free speech.
Illinois Liberty PAC on Tuesday filed a complaint in Chicago's federal court against state Attorney General Lisa Madigan and members of the Illinois Board of Elections. The suit challenges these contribution limits, claiming they unfairly restrain individuals and PACs while exempting political party committees.
Chicago radio talk show host Dan Proft, who lost his bid for governor in the 2010 primary election, serves as chairman of Illinois Liberty PAC, which supports "candidates for public office who embrace public policy rooted in the principles of liberty and free enterprise."
Established in 2011, the committee was originally chaired by John Tillman, president of the conservative think-tank Illinois Policy Institute. Documents filed with the state board of elections show that Proft replaced Tillman as chairman within a few months of the committee's formation.
The lawsuit filed by Proft's PAC focuses on campaign contribution limits approved in 2009. The law limits the amount of contributions that individuals, political action committees and other companies can make to candidates in general elections to $5,000, $50,000 and $10,000 respectively.
To view the entire article, visit the Madison County Record.