Dupage Policy Journal

Advocacy group Breakthrough Ideas recently elevated criticism of the Truth in Politics Act. 

The group is raising the public's awareness of the effect of HB5850 if enacted into law.

“Illinois State Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Skokie) has introduced HB5850, which would criminalize certain speech directed at political campaigns," Breakthrough Ideas posted on Facebook. "The bill prescribes criminal and civil penalties for certain election speech and adds speech requirements for political campaigns.”  

The CEO for the Wheaton-based Breakthrough Ideas is a former state representative and one-time gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives. 

Democrats control super-majorities in the House, Senate, and Illinois Supreme Court as well as all statewide offices. HB5850 was introduced by Wang Stoneback who is in her final days in the chamber after losing a primary battle earlier this year. 

The Edgar County Watchdogs said the bill “would criminalize certain speech directed at political campaigns. The bill prescribes criminal and civil penalties for certain election speech and adds speech requirements for political campaigns. Let’s hope this bill goes nowhere.”  

Illinoisans who would violate the Truth In Politics Act could be charged with a class A criminal misdemeanor or be subject to civil litigation.

State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) has bashed the legislation.

“Make no mistake, HB5850 is a direct attack on the right to free speech,” Plummer said in a press release, according to Metro East Sun. “The voters have the ultimate authority to hold politicians accountable for what they say and do, exactly as it should be. Free and open elections are the foundation of our democracy. It is truly frightening that anyone would support the idea of empowering bureaucrats to decide to only allow speech they agree with. Worse yet, this bill wouldn’t just apply to candidates, it would also go after citizens for speaking their minds. Offending overly sensitive people is the lesser of two evils compared to violating the constitutional rights of Illinoisans. The freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our nation and I will always be vigilant in defending it.” 

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Sterling) and Senate Minority Leader John Curran (R-Lemont) haven't released a comment on the bill.

During the 2022 campaign, Gov. J.B. Pritzker was able to hinder opponents by threatening media outlets, Politico reported. LGIS's own publication run was briefly halted after the Pritzker campaign said it wouldn't participate in a Daily Herald debate. The Daily Herald owns the press that was printing the LGIS newspapers. Pritzker also sent a cease-and-desist letter to NBC and WGN who were airing a Beverly Miles campaign advertisement accusing Pritzker – without evidence – of terminating her for political reasons.