House Sponsors: MCCARTHY-BOLAND-YARBROUGH. Short description: PUB FINANCING JUD CAMPAIGN Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Public Financing for Judicial Campaigns Act. Provides that candidates for the office of Judge of the Supreme Court may apply for a public financing benefit in connection with their campaign for office. Sets requirements for qualifying for the public financing benefits. Limits the amount of private contributions qualified candidates may accept. Provides that qualified candidates must be distributed a line of credit from moneys in the Democracy Trust Fund to be used for lawful political expenditures. Provides for the increase of the line of credit if non-complying candidates make certain expenditures. Sets penalties for violations of the Act. Prohibits mass mailings on behalf of candidates for the office of Judge of the Supreme Court using State moneys during the period from June 1 preceding a general election until November 30 following a general election. Provides that the Illinois Supreme Court may, in its discretion, require attorneys to contribute money to the Democracy Trust Fund. Contains other provisions. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Democracy Trust Fund. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that $1 from each Illinois income tax of each individual be placed into the Democracy Trust Fund, unless the taxpayer indicates an objection to the allocation on the income tax return. Amends the Clerks of Courts Act. Provides that $1 collected from each filing fee and appearance fee of civil cases in which the amount of money or damages or the value of personal property claimed exceeds $10,000 shall be paid into the Democracy Trust Fund. Effective immediately. FISCAL NOTE (State Board of Elections) It is estimated that approximately $50,000 (hiring of addition- al staff, hearing officers and investigators to ensure compli- ance) will be needed by the State Board of Elections to imple- ment the requirements of HB 4075, as introduced. However, the presence of several variables presents difficulties in develop- ing a firm assessment of costs. Items such as the number of candidates participating, the number of violations that may occur and the number of investigations conducted will affect the initial and long-range costs. If no candidates participate, there will be no cost to the State Board of Elections. STATE MANDATES NOTE (Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) In the opinion of DCCA, HB 4075 does not meet the definition of a State mandate under the State Mandates Act. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status