HB2631 - Judicial Campaign Reform Act

• Creates a voluntary public financing program for Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Court judicial candidates, administered by the State Board of Elections.

• Establishes the Illinois Judicial Election Democracy Trust Fund, funded through tax checkoffs on income tax returns, court filing fees ($1 per filing), and voluntary contributions capped at $1,000 per year.

• Provides public financing benefits of $750,000 for Supreme Court candidates and $250,000 for Appellate Court candidates (adjusted for inflation biennially), with candidates able to allocate funds between primary and general elections.

• Sets mandatory contribution limits for all judicial candidates: $2,300 per election from individuals, $20,000 from state party judicial funds, $5,000 from other judicial funds, and $2,000 from corporations/labor organizations/associations.

• Prohibits anonymous contributions, contributions in others' names, and contributions exceeding $250 from candidates accepting public financing; establishes penalties including forfeiture of excessive contributions and Class 3 felonies for knowing violations.