SPRINGFIELD – In response to the far-reaching effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision, State Senator Rachel Ventura has filed two measures aimed at reducing the influence of corporate and billionaire spending in Illinois elections and restoring power to voters.

The Citizens United ruling allowed corporations to spend unlimited money to influence elections, fundamentally reshaping campaign finance across the country. Ventura’s legislation seeks to counter those effects at the state level by increasing transparency around corporate political spending and restricting corporations from directly influencing state and local elections.

“Illinoisans deserve elections that reflect the voices of voters, not the outsized influence of corporations and billionaire donors,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “These measures are about restoring balance and ensuring our democracy works for people, not special interests.”

One proposal, Senate Bill 3673, would increase transparency in campaign finance by requiring clear disclosure of whether candidates have accepted corporate political action committee (PAC) donations. This information would be made easily accessible to voters through sample ballots or an online candidate guide that includes biographical information, giving voters a clearer understanding of who is financially backing each campaign.

A second proposal, Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 10, would modify existing corporate charters and the Illinois state constitution to explicitly prohibit corporations from donating to political campaigns. By amending corporate powers rather than campaign finance law, the measure seeks to limit corporate money in state and local elections.

The legislation draws inspiration from a similar constitutional effort proposed by the Transparent Election Initiative in Montana, which would redefine corporate powers to state that corporations cannot spend money or anything of value on elections or ballot initiatives.

“In a fair election, voters must have full transparency about candidates’ outside interests and campaign funding,” Ventura said. “These bills would help curb the influence of unlimited corporate money and put decision-making power back where it belongs, with the people.” 

SB 3673 and SJR CA10 are currently awaiting Senate committee assignment.