Center for Individual Freedom v. Madigan

Dist. Ct. did not err in dismissing plaintiff's action alleging that Article 9 of Ill. Election Code, which contained certain disclosure requirements for campaign contributions and expenditures for "political committees" on behalf of or in opposition to any political candidate or ballot question, violated plaintiff's First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. While plaintiff argued that Article 9 had chilling effect on its members who require assurances that their identities remain anonymous, state's interest in providing electorate with information as to source of political campaign money was sufficiently important to support instant disclosure requirements. Ct. also rejected plaintiff's contention that Article 9's definitions of "electioneering communications," "political committee," "contribution," "expenditure" and "independent expenditure" were facially vague and overbroad. (Partial dissent filed.)