NORMAL - A local group that formed to change Americans' complacency in the democratic process has joined with Illinois State University to encourage the community to talk about political campaign funding.

Tonight, they'll kick off the discussion with a two-hour, free public event. "Living Democracy Requires Fair Elections, Clean Elections" starts at 7 p.m. in ISU's Capen Auditorium.

Campaign finance reform is a topic that can bring students and Twin City residents together in a nonpartisan way, said Donella Hess-Grabill of Normal, co-chairwoman of the Living Democracy Committee of Bloomington-Normal.

"Living Democracy" is tied to ISU's role in the national Political Engagement Project, and is sponsored by the Twin City group, ISU and Heartland Community College.

"One of the project's purposes is to build linkages between students and the community to find ways to solve problems," said Steve Hunt, an ISU communications professor involved in the project. "This event creates a forum where everyone can come together."

It features student presentations, a short DVD by PBS journalist Bill Moyers on campaign finance and a panel discussion with people who've recently taken part in campaigns. Panelists are:

• State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, who represents Illinois' 88th district.

• Tari Renner, McLean County Board member, Illinois Wesleyan University political science professor and former congressional candidate.

• Carol Koos, former candidate for Bloomington City Council and president of the Bloomington Public Library board.

Campaign finance seemed a good choice because it's nonpartisan and a timely subject given the election cycle, Hess-Grabill said.

"I was watching the 'Today' show this morning, and all they were talking about was who has the most money" in the presidential campaign, said Kara Karraker, 20, an ISU student from Fairview Heights. "Just think if we could level the playing field, and instead they talked about what the candidates were for and against."

The money's origin should concern voters, too, she said. "For example, student loan industries are major contributors to candidates," Karraker said.

As part of a communications course she's taking, Karraker and four other ISU students are developing a short film about campaign finance reform. She'll talk about it tonight.

"It's really an awareness-raising event - and it's grass-roots, starting in the community - about how our political institution is becoming eroded," said Blake Musser, an ISU senior from Freeport. "A lot of people don't realize how politicians get money to campaign."