(The Center Square) – In what is considered one of the most corrupt states in the nation, Illinois Republicans are once again making an attempt to change the political landscape.
Illinois frequently gets mentioned as one of the most corrupt states in the country, including by the organization Best Diplomats, which ranked Illinois third worst in the country.
In the wake of longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction of corruption charges, there still has been little talk of ethics reform in Springfield. Madigan will be sentenced June 13 after being convicted in February on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
House Republican lawmakers have presented their legislative proposals they said bring forward an opportunity for ethics reform in the Illinois statehouse. The proposals are an attempt to restore public faith in government and root out commonplace corruption under the dome.
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, said he’s still waiting for Illinois Democrats to take the issue of public corruption seriously.
“I don’t want to be too cynical about it to say if one more happens then finally the people on the other side will wake up,” said Windhorst. “If the Madigan case didn’t wake people up, I’m beginning to be doubtful that any case will.”
State Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, chairs the House Elections and Ethics Committee. He said he’s willing to have a conversation about ethics legislation, but doesn’t want to dwell on Madigan.
“Doing the right thing does yield dividends, however, Madigan is behind us now,” said West. ‘Let’s move forward, that’s how I feel about it.”
Republicans have introduced several measures for ethics reform, including giving the Legislative Inspector General’s office the power to issue subpoenas without first seeking approval from the people they may be investigating.
State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, said some things haven’t changed, with the same handpicked politicians running the state.
“Democrats need to stop making corrupt politicians a protected class in Illinois,” said Severin. “They’ve even proposed these crazy laws, legalized prostitution, homeschool regulations that threaten homeschool families, a per-mile driving tax and unionizing cannabis dispensary works.”
State Rep. David Friess, R-Red Bud, cited the long list of indictments as reason enough that ethics reform cannot wait.
“With indictment after indictment and conviction after conviction, not a single ethics reform proposal we’ve introduced will even be debated in the chamber this spring. It’s shameful,” said Friess.
