Poll Results: Campaign Finance Laws Must Change

Though the contest for the 10^th Congressional District seat between Rep. Elect Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) and Rep. Robert Dold (R-Kenilworth) was very close, there was near unanimity about reader dislike for the $13.1 million spent on the campaign.

A survey of Patch readers asked whether people who make unlimited donations on independent expenditures should fall under the same disclosure requirements as donors to the Schneider and Dold campaigns as well.

Earlier: Poll: Was Too Much Spent on Schneider-Dold Race

Of the 20 people who answered the question, 19 believe the requirements should be the same. Only one person would keep the law as defined in the Citizens United Case by the United States Supreme Court in 2010 intact.

“Yes, too much was spent--especially from outside,” reader Samuel Ramey wrote.

“Yes -- this is ridiculous amounts of money,” T.J. Wheeler added.

Others were upset with not only the money spent on the Congressional campaign, but on Illinois General Assembly races as well. Each time Merrill Medansky got a call or looked at the mail, it was a reminder of spending run amok.

“I feel too much was spent not only on the race for 10th congressional district, but state senate and state representative as well,” Medansky wrote. “The mailings and rob calls were not only not informative but a nearly daily reminder of how much money could have been used so much more effectively for food pantries and other social service agencies all across the district.