SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois lawmakers are preparing themselves for free-spending super PACs for this fall's election.
The Senate approved a measure Thursday that lifts campaign fundraising limits if an independent political group spends more than $100,000 in a legislative race. The threshold would be $250,000 in statewide races.
The 30-26 vote sends the legislation to the governor.
Sen. Don Harmon says his bill makes campaigns fairer because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that political groups not tied to a particular candidate may raise and spend unlimited dollars. A federal court ruled in March that it applies to Illinois interest groups.
Opponents complained that the state's first-ever campaign finance limits just took effect this year. They restrict political action committee contributions to $50,000.
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The bill is SB3722.
Online: http://www.ilga.gov
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
