Last week, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) made the latest move in the back-and-forth over campaign finance reform when he attempted to ram through a rewrite of campaign contribution caps legislation (SB 1466), blindsiding the government watchdogs who had been negotiating the terms of a new bill for months. The move drew criticism from editorial boards across the state; the Sun-Times even called out Madigan for what they described as a "naked grab for more political power." As lawmakers head back to Springfield to continue negotiations next week, reformers will be able to display a powerful ally on their side: public opinion.

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute released data today from a rather extensive poll (PDF) that reveals majority support in Illinois for capping the in-kind and financial contributions that legislative and party leaders dole out during election years (as regular readers know, this has become the sticking point in the latest negotiations). Moreover, a majority favor term limits on legislative leadership positions and a plurality support public financing of political campaigns. "This is an agenda for reform," the institute's director David Yepsen said while unveiling the results at a press conference today. "The people of Illinois are for it and I think those political leaders and those policy leaders who favor reform should be encouraged by these results." Watch:

Here are some highlights from the survey of 800 registered statewide voters, taken between September 9 and October 8 (the full poll results are downloadable here):

A proposal to limit the amount of campaign money that party leaders can redistribute to other candidates. Would you say you:

Strongly favor 31.5%
Favor 33.9%
Oppose 18.6%
Strongly oppose 5.3%
No opinion/Don’t know 10.8%

A proposal to limit “in-kind” contributions to state legislative campaigns? In-kind contributions are goods or services, such as office space, printing, or buying advertising on behalf of a candidate. Currently there are limits on how much cash people can contribute, but not on in-kind contributions. Would you say you:

Strongly favor 32.1%
Favor 39.5%
Oppose 14.5%
Strongly oppose 5.0%
No opinion/Don’t know 8.9%

A proposal to limit how long legislators could serve in leadership positions—such as Speaker of the House or President of the Senate—before they stepped down to let other legislators lead. Would you say you:

Strongly favor 38.0%
Favor 39.6%
Oppose 10.8%
Strongly oppose 3.9%
No opinion/Don’t know 7.8%

A proposal to eliminate contributions to state legislative campaigns by providing public funding for all candidates who qualify for it. Would you say you:

Strongly favor 15.6%
Favor 33.8%
Oppose 27.9%
Strongly oppose 10.6%
No opinion/Don’t know 12.1%

As far as Yepsen is concerned, the poll results -- which also found overwhelming support (73 percent) for bringing in an independent voice to settle the redistricting debate --  speak volumes about the public's appetite for true reform. "People in Illinois used to laugh and joke about their politicians and what characters they were," he said today. "I don't hear them laugh so much any more. The ethics mess. The budget mess. That's not a laughing matter."

On that note, the institute is planning to release additional polling on Wednesday regarding budget cuts and restructuring the state's income tax.  Additional polling on gay marriage and health care are due out next week. More on that to come.