SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Time management, organizational skills, incumbency and a solid political base are all intangibles that factor into a successful political campaign.

Sure these are important element, the main ingredient nowadays that leading to success or failure in politics is money. Cold cash, filthy lucre, greenbacks - no matter what it's called, it takes big bucks to finance a political campaign.

That point alone is troublesome to Cindy Canary, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, headquartered in Chicago. Canary has repeatedly called for changes in the wide-open spending spree known as Illinois politics.

"Campaign finance reform is desperately needed," said Canary. "We see the need for change across the state. And nowhere is it clearer that change is needed than in the races we see in Southern Illinois."

She pointed to the 2004 Illinois Supreme Court race between eventual winner Lloyd Karmieir and Gordon Maag, a race that generated more than $9 million in contributions and broke a national record for fund raising.

Also singled out was last November's Fifth District Appellate campaign between Bruce Stewart and Steve McGlynn, when more than $3.5 million was raised by the two candidates.

Canary also took note of last November's state representative race in the 107th legislative district between incumbent state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Centralia, and Republican challenger John Cavaletto, of Salem. It generated more than $2 million in contributions for a job that pays roughly $60,000 a year.

"Southern Illinois is the proud owner of most of the state's money-breaking records in political campaigns," said Canary. "And I think this is something to be very concerned about, particularly if you look at the races in Southern Illinois. It's no secret that these big sums of money are not coming from Southern Illinois."

And therein lies one of the big problems, Canary said.

"With that kind of money coming from other sources outside of Southern Illinois it absolutely gives the impression that a candidate is obligated to somebody," said Canary. "And it also gives the impression that elected officials and elections belong to those people who have money and resources as opposed to the ordinary voter."

John Jackson, visiting professor at SIUC, said he believes that the huge amount of money funneled into political campaigns goes hand-in-hand with voter apathy.

"I think this bothers the people of Illinois and the indication is that we are very skeptical and quite cynical, and probably campaign finance is the number one reason behind that skepticism and cynicism," said Jackson. "As a people we are very skeptical that these people come awfully close to being for sale."

A starting point on changing the current landscape would be legislation that would put strict guidelines on judicial races, Canary said.

"We would like to see public financing of these judicial races," said Canary. "I find it particularly distasteful of this appearance that exists that we are buying judgeships in Illinois. The legislature is supposed to be partisan, it's supposed to be rough and tumble, but we still cling to the belief that there is independence in our judiciary and we do need to publicly finance those elections to protect that fundamental premise about our judiciary."

Canary pointed to what she called "the current ComEd�Ameren fiasco" as an example of campaign contributions dictating public policy.

"Money in and of itself is not bad, elections cost money," she said. "But when the money is so tied to special interests and then we see it coming out the other end of the tunnel in terms of public policy, and public policy that is not necessarily in the best interest of Illinois residents, then we need to stop grousing about campaign finance reform and do something about it."

Canary said she would also like to see campaign contribution limits in Illinois.

"I recognize that elections cost money but I do think there should be sensible limits and not so low that all a candidate could do is make phone calls," said Canary. "However I do think it is absolutely ludicrous when we see contributions of $50,000, $100,000, $250,000 coming in and where we see legislative races where 70 percent of the money is coming from leadership."

Saying that there is a need for "pay-to-play legislation," Canary said people doing business with the state should not be allowed to make contributions.

"People who are bidding on state contracts should not be political donors, period," said Canary. "There should be absolutely no perception that the awarding of state contracts is based on who is making the largest political contribution. Who could possibly argue against that?"

Regardless of how ethical a candidate is the large amount of money being poured into campaigns creates room for questions and doubt, Jackson said.

"You can't ever know what is in a person's heart as they make those decisions about how to vote or how to decide a case," said Jackson. "But the pragmatics is that people are investing this money because they think they are going to get a return on the dollar; these are not charitable organizations."

Jackson also pointed to the Ameren�ComEd issue that is the current hot-button topic in Springfield as an example.

"One of the reasons nothing has happened is because they (legislators) are beholden to them for all the money they've taken," said Jackson. "I think the system is broken and I think it is past time to fix it, something needs to be done."

Jackson said he believes the special interest money comes with strings attached.

"Certainly it means that these candidates are going to be sympathetic to the interests that gave them all that money, there's just no way around it," Jackson said. "When do you cross the line and basically compromise yourself? It's hard to say when people virtually sell out but certainly to get elected these days you have to come awfully close to selling out."

Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, would favor finance reform as long as it treats all candidates fairly.

"If you restrict it too much you really protect the incumbent because they already have an advantage over somebody challenging," said Luechtefeld. "Before I say I'm for reform, I'd like to know what the reforms are going to be. I think sometimes people who are for reforms believe it is a good political issue. But, if it's something that's meaningful and not a lot of fluff, sure I think reform is needed."

Luechtefeld said he sees the issue of contractors making large contributions and then landing lucrative contracts with the state is an issue that needs to be addressed.

"It's obviously happened before with other administrations but it has been more glaring with the Blagojevich administration," said Luechtefeld. "It really has been a pay to play. There have been businesses that weren't political and weren't donating but came to the conclusion that if they want a piece of the action they had to donate. That's gone way too far."

State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, agreed that campaign finance reform is needed but specified that it needs to "be across the board."

"If there is going to be true reform then it has to be for everybody so everybody plays by the same rules," said Phelps.

Phelps said he was troubled by the two recent judicial races that generated more than $12 million in total contributions.

"I don't know why that wouldn't bother everybody," said Phelps. "When you have a group come in and donate $1 million right at the last, I don't care what anybody says that candidate is obligated to the group making the contribution," said Phelps. "I think nearly anybody would say the same thing."

Phelps said he doesn't believe there is an obligation tied to smaller contributions. Phelps admitted that he does not believe there is a real desire in Springfield to see campaign finance reform.

"I firmly believe that a lot of the leaders are fine with the way things are right now and how they raise money for campaigns," said Phelps. "When I was going door to door last year during my campaign, more than ever, people told me that they were sick and tired of seeing negative ads and the high priced campaigns is where you see most of the negative ads."

Jackson said it's a proven fact that big money and negative campaigns go hand-in-hand.

"The biggest part of the money in high dollar campaigns goes into television. Every study that has been done shows that to be the case with 70-75 percent of all money being spent on television," said Jackson. "And they usually fill those spots with nasty, rather mindless 30-second commercials."

Canary said some progress has been made but there is much left to do in order to change the political climate in Illinois.

"I think we've made some small, incremental steps," said Canary. "I firmly believe it is time for the people of this state to take back their government. And in taking back their government one of the essential steps is putting some boundaries, some regulations on money and politics where it doesn't appear that votes are being purchased."

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