Chung Introduces Bill Preventing Corporate Interference with Elections

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Working to improve election transparency, state Rep. Chung, D-Bloomington, is sponsoring legislation that will prevent corporations from financially supporting candidates or ballot initiatives, expanding existing state law to mitigate financial election interference.

“Citizens United changed the landscape of elections for the worst,” said Chung. “Allowing corporations and elites to influence election outcomes and bolster candidates takes power away from the people. We need to restore the voting power to the people who should truly determine their representatives and what initiatives should be executed.”

House Bill 4435 will prohibit corporations from engaging in any and all election activities, from impacting a candidate’s nomination to influencing ballot initiatives on potential policies or programs. Additionally, super PACS and other similar organizations would no longer be able to donate to campaigns.

“Voters should determine elections, not billionaires and corporations,” said Chung. “This is just one step in removing elitism from elections and leaning into grassroot organizing and fundraising.”