(10 ILCS 5/1-21)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2025)

Sec. 1-21. Public Financing of Judicial Elections Task Force.

(a) The Public Financing of Judicial Elections Task Force is hereby created for the purposes described in subsection (b). Members of the Task Force shall be appointed as follows:

(1) one member appointed by the Governor;

(2) one member appointed by the Attorney General;

(3) 2 members appointed by the President of the Senate;

(4) 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(5) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and

(6) 2 members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(b) The Task Force shall study the feasibility of implementing a system of campaign finance that would allow public funds to be used to subsidize campaigns for candidates for judicial office in exchange for voluntary adherence by those campaigns to specified expenditure limitations. In conducting its study, the Task Force shall consider whether implementing such a system of public financing is in the best interest of the State. The Task Force may propose one or more funding sources for the public financing of judicial elections, including, but not limited to, fines, voluntary contributions, surcharges on lobbying activities, and a whistleblower fund. The Task Force shall consider the following factors:

(1) the amount of funds raised by past candidates for judicial office;

(2) the amount of funds expended by past candidates for judicial office;

(3) the disparity in the amount of funds raised by candidates for judicial office of different political parties;

(4) the amount of funds expended with respect to campaigns for judicial office by entities not affiliated with a candidate;

(5) the amount of money contributed to or expended by a committee of a political party to promote a candidate for judicial office;

(6) jurisprudence concerning campaign finance and public financing of political campaigns, both for judicial office and generally; and

(7) any other factors that the Task Force determines are related to the public financing of elections in this State.

The Task Force shall also suggest changes to current law that would be necessary to facilitate public financing of candidates for judicial office.

(c) The Task Force shall complete its study no later than June 30, 2024 and shall report its findings to the Governor and the General Assembly as soon as possible after the study is complete.

(d) The members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their duties. If a vacancy occurs on the Task Force, it shall be filled according to the guidelines of the initial appointment.

(e) The State Board of Elections shall provide staff and administrative support to the Task Force.

(f) As used in this Section, "judicial office" means nomination, election, or retention to the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, or the Circuit Court.

(g) This Section is repealed on July 1, 2025.

(Source: P.A. 102-909, eff. 5-27-22; 103-467, eff. 8-4-23.)