NCJ Number
149395
Journal
Judicature Volume: 77 Issue: 6 Dated: (May-June 1994) Pages: 294-299
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study examined Illinois judicial campaign financing and spending from 1980 through 1990.
Abstract
The study focused on the totals raised and spent by various categories of candidates and the identities of contributors and recipients of expenditures. It compared selected data from recent supreme, appellate, and trial court elections to the findings of an earlier comprehensive study of the 1980 through 1984 elections. Findings show that many contributors to judicial campaigns in Illinois are giving for reasons other than to ensure the election of qualified candidates. Since the bulk of funds are raised by sure winners and sure losers who are sitting judges, it is reasonable to assume that some contributors believe they are getting something for their money, even if it is something less than the most blatant judicial partiality. Expenditures in some categories of judicial campaigns are increasing rapidly. Although radical changes in the funding rules for judicial campaigns in Illinois may not currently be necessary, these study findings suggest that future funding practices should be carefully monitored. 16 footnotes