SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Senator John Millner (R-Carol Stream) said he was disappointed in the weaken campaign finance reform bill, which concentrate power with legislative leaders during general elections.

The General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1466 on Friday along partisan lines, which included what Sen. Millner called “incomplete reform.”

“The so-called ‘reform’ bill passed today doesn’t represent the change that Illinois constituents demanded after the impeachment and removal of Blagojevich,” Sen. Millner said. “It’s a shame that this legislature gives political party leaders more control and power over their members in the legislature by not capping their contributions in general elections.

While the bill places campaign contribution limits on individuals, corporations, labor organizations, associations and political action committees in both the primary and general election, political party committees would be allowed to make unlimited contributions during the general election and only be capped in primaries.

“It’s disappointing and disingenuous to the people of Illinois,” Sen. Millner said. “While everyone else is prohibited by campaign contribution limits, party leaders will get to exercise their firm grip over their members by funneling money without limit in elections. This ensures the status quo continues and isn’t what I will support.”

Sen. Millner said the bill doesn’t follow all of the recommendations from the Governor’s Reform Commission, spearheaded by former Federal prosecutor Patrick Collins. Legislation sponsored by Sen. Millner (Senate Bill 2457) would put all of the Reform Commission proposals into law, but has not been allowed to advance in the Illinois Senate.

“It’s unfortunate that we haven’t been able to move this legislation forward, a bill that contains comprehensive reform,” Sen. Millner said. “This is why I could not support the bill pushed through today. I’ve promised my constituents I would only vote for real reform and I can’t support such a flawed bill.”