Springfield, IL. (ECWd) –
When a politician names something the “Truth In Politics Act” you can bet its actual meaning is the opposite of its title.
Illinois State Representative Denyse Wang Stoneback has introduced HB5850 which 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.
Some of the problems with this bill:
- who defines what is or is not a false or misleading statement?
- why do we need another law providing for civil action in defamation cases? Hasn’t the SCOTUS already provided enough direction on that subject?
- why would anyone want to criminalize free speech?
- who defines what “unfriendly or bitter” words are?
- why do we need to place political actors and candidates in an elevated place (compared to the average citizen) to attack those, both criminally and civilly, who speak out against them or a political question?
- why the attack on the First Amendment?
Synopsis As Introduced
Authorizes the amendatory Act to be cited as the Truth in Politics Act. Includes legislative findings. Amends the Prohibitions and Penalties Article of the Election Code. Creates prohibitions against (i) false or misleading statements to affect a vote, (ii) unlawful attempts to affect the outcome of a campaign, (iii) distribution of materials intending to mislead people on a candidate’s incumbency status, and (iv) libel and defamation in political advertising. Provides that, if a person violates the provisions, the person can be enjoined civilly. Provides that a violation of the provisions is a Class A misdemeanor. Amends the Fair Campaign Practices Article of the Election Code. Requires (rather than allows) candidates and the chairs of political committees to sign and file the Code of Fair Campaign Practices. Requires a candidate to include in all of the candidate’s campaign literature and advertising the following statement: “I am a candidate for (specify office), and I support the accuracy of this message.” Provides penalties for failure to timely file a signed Code of Fair Campaign Practices and for violations of the Code of Fair Campaign Practices or other provisions of the Article. Defines terms.
5 Comments
Judy
Posted at 13:38h, 29 NovemberWell, if one was to dig into her background what might be found? Perhaps something could be considered hate speech. I consider the proposed legislation hate towards Illinois residents if it is passed. I’m guessing JBP, Durbin, Duckworth may be encouraging her. This has to stop.
John K
Posted at 12:35h, 29 NovemberAs naive as the introduced bill is, N.Y. Times v. Sullivan would make the legislation DOA. According to that decision, as long as a person does not “either knew the statement was false or recklessly disregarded whether it might be false” you can say whatever you want about a public figure. Including linking them to a suspicious death..
Dave
Posted at 11:01h, 29 NovemberIf lying was made a criminal act we could get rid of our tyrannical state legislature and governor
John Manspeaker
Posted at 10:57h, 29 NovemberWhat the hell is the matter with her? 90% of political campaign rhetoric is false or misleading, it is an American tradition. I was surprised not see any language in the bill penalizing social media platforms for “allowing” same. Sometimes it seems like IL political leadership is intentionally trying to make the State unlivable. Thanks for reporting on this.
Kathiann
Posted at 09:58h, 29 NovemberI’m sure this will be considered hate speech, but this Representative appears to working for the CCP and all tyrannizers who laborer to suppress the free speech of the average citizen. She must be afraid of what people say. She is not on the side of freedom or the American people.