IL HB3698

Replaces the term "electioneering communication" with the broader term "election spending" throughout the Illinois Election Code, expanding disclosure requirements to cover express advocacy, public communications that promote or attack candidates, partisan voter activity, and related research and polling activities

Redefines "independent expenditure committee" to include entities that have influencing elections as a "major purpose" and prohibits such committees from coordinating fundraising with candidates, employing persons who recently provided campaign services to supported candidates without a firewall, or contributing to candidate committees

Establishes detailed "coordinated expenditure" standards defining when spending is considered coordinated with a candidate or party, including republishing campaign materials, following candidate instructions about messaging, or employing former campaign staff within the preceding 2 years

Requires persons making independent expenditures exceeding $5,000 in 12 months to file disclosures within 2 business days, with additional reporting thresholds of $250,000 for statewide races and $100,000 for other offices

Creates firewall requirements for organizations employing persons who have worked for candidates they support, mandating written policies that separate staff, prohibit information sharing, and ensure physical and technological separation