In response to recent troubling revelations of corruption by state legislators, State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) has signed on to co-sponsor bipartisan legislation to reform state government and ensure Illinois has among the most stringent ethics laws in the nation.
“Ethics reform is long overdue and we need to take action,” Rep. Keicher said. “Public trust in our state government and elected officials has justifiably eroded with every new revelation of corruption. I am encouraged by the strong bipartisan support this week for our bill that will identify the specific reforms needed to hold every legislator accountable moving forward. This should not be difficult, but it should be a priority. We cannot continue to allow corruption to cast a cloud over the Capitol.”
House Joint Resolution 87 would create a nine-member task force charged with identifying areas of concern, reviewing current laws, studying best practices, and proposing additional legislative solutions to ensure Illinois is holding public officials accountable for their actions. It would be composed of a member of the Governor’s staff or the Lt. Governor, along with two legislative members appointed by each of the four caucus leaders. The task force would have ninety days to issue a report recommending legislative changes to Illinois’ ethics policy and law.
Earlier this week, Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) became the third state legislator this year to be indicted or implicated in a federal corruption investigation. In just the past few months, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Lake Villa) was indicted on 45 counts of embezzlement and State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero) was revealed to be under investigation in a widespread federal corruption probe that has ensnared a number of local government bodies and businesses.
HJR 87 was filed by State Representative Tony McCombie last week so that it could be considered during the fall Veto Session. For questions or more information, please call Representative Keicher’s office at (815) 748-3494.