Loyalty Oath Remains Popular With Illinois Politicians CHICAGO, IL (wsiu) - An anti-communist "loyalty oath" remains popular among Illinois politicians.

They're given the option of signing it each election when they turn in petitions to get on the ballot.

Close to 80-percent of all candidates running for statewide office in Illinois turned in the loyalty oath......swearing they don't plan to teach or advocate for the overthrow of the government, and that they're not affiliated with any communist groups.

A court decided in the early 70's the state couldn't require candidates to sign, so now it's optional. John Bachtell is Illinois organizer for the Communist Party. "It perpetuates the myth that the communist party is a foreign agent, and it really keeps alive anti-communism and the red scare."

Those not turning in the oath include a handful of Democrats and Republicans, and the entire slate of Green Party candidates running for statewide office.
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