Jim Murphy

The legislation includes many changes to state elections, including restoring voting rights to some parolees and allowing the use of campaign dollars for child care.

Proponents of the legislation who spoke at a Monday committee hearing, including St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, said life in prison without parole is more humane and still effective.

Former state Sen. Bill Eigel has been criticized for receiving automatic contributions when he ran for governor and again when he launched his current bid for St. Charles County executive.