Sample Newsletter Copy for 20 Questions

One paragraph version

(Insert organization name) is a member of CHANGE Illinois!, which has asked candidates for Governor and the General Assembly to answer 20 straightforward questions about reforming elections and state government. Read the candidates’ answers at www.ChangeIL.org.

250-word version

(Insert organization name) is a member of the CHANGE Illinois! coalition, which includes civic, business, labor, professional, non-profit and philanthropic organizations and individuals.

These diverse organizations formed CHANGE Illinois! in response to Illinois’ culture of political corruption, which has made government more costly, damaged the state’s economic climate, angered taxpayers and made it difficult to have an honest debate about critical issues facing our state government.

Together, we have worked to reduce the influence of large campaign contributors by enacting strict limits on the amount of money that can be given to candidates and political action committees.

And now we’re asking candidates for Governor and the General Assembly to tell us where they stand on important reform issues. We want to know what they propose to do to help change Illinois.

Working with eight reform organizations, CHANGE Illinois! created a candidate questionnaire with 20 straightforward questions about limits on campaign contributions by legislative leaders, judicial selection, lobbying, redistricting and several other key issues.

ALL of the candidates for Governor answered those questions, and you can find out where they stand by going to www.ChangeIL.org. The website also will feature responses from candidates for the Illinois House and Senate.

Please read the candidates’ answers before the November 2^nd election. If your legislative candidates have not responded, contact them. Tell them voters want to know what they propose to do to change Illinois and they can begin by answering the 20 questions here: www.ChangeIL.org

400-word version

All of us in Illinois -- and many around the world – are well aware of the corruption that has plagued state government, as well as some local governments.

The repercussions go well beyond those charged with crimes. Corruption and waste carry a price paid by all taxpayers and the families in need of government services. It has damaged the state’s economic climate, angered taxpayers and made it difficult to have an honest debate about critical issues facing our state government.

A year ago, the CHANGE Illinois! coalition was formed to combat Illinois’ culture of political corruption.

(Insert organization name) is proud to be part of this unusual coalition. CHANGE Illinois! includes civic, business, labor, professional, non-profit and philanthropic organizations and individuals. In addition to (insert organization name), members include AARP, Chicago Urban League, The Civic Federation, Community Renewal Society, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Latino Policy Forum, United Congress of Community & Religious Organizations, and Voices for Illinois Children.

Together, we have worked to reduce the influence of large campaign contributors by enacting strict limits on the amount of money that can be given to candidates and political action committees. Those new limits will take effect next year.

That was a major step forward, but it was only the beginning.

CHANGE Illinois! is non-partisan. The many individual members come from all parts of the political spectrum.

But all of us believe it is important that candidates for public office tell us where they stand on important reform issues. We want to know what they propose to do to help change Illinois.

“Thanks to the triple whammy of the economy, the budget and the Blagojevich trial, Illinois voters in 2010 have a lot of questions and want straight answers from the candidates,” said Deborah Harrington, former president of the Woods Fund of Chicago and a CHANGE Illinois! co-chair. “We’re giving them a head start with 20 good questions that all candidates should answer.”

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