HB1324 - Illinois Clean Elections Act

• Establishes voluntary public financing system for candidates running for statewide constitutional offices (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, State Comptroller) and General Assembly (State Senator, State Representative) beginning in 2010 elections.

• Creates Illinois Clean Elections Fund as special state treasury fund, financed by $40,000,000 annual transfer from income tax revenues, tax checkoff contributions ($3 per taxpayer), qualifying contributions ($5 each), and returned unspent campaign funds.

• Requires participating candidates to collect $5 qualifying contributions from registered voters within their district during designated periods (November 1 - April 15 for statewide; January 1 - April 15 for legislative, with extended June 2 deadline for unenrolled candidates).

• Limits pre-certification fundraising to "seed money" contributions capped at $50,000 for gubernatorial candidates, $25,000 for other statewide offices, $10,000 for State Senate, and $5,000 for State House candidates.

• Establishes distribution amounts from Fund based on election type and office (ranging from $800,000 for contested State Treasurer general election to $4,000,000 for gubernatorial general election) with matching funds available if opponents exceed spending limits; violations subject to fines up to $10,000.