State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) applauded the verdict on the high-profile federal corruption case against former longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Today, a jury found Madigan guilty on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud.
“Although Speaker Madigan was found guilty, much work remains to be done to end the culture of corruption in Illinois,” Rep. Keicher said. “Public trust in our state government has justifiably eroded with the string of legislators who have been indicted and convicted of corruption in recent years. Ethics reform is long overdue and the Madigan verdict should be the final impetus current lawmakers need to come together and finally make the changes most of us recognize are needed.”
As a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Legislative Ethics Commission since 2022, Rep. Keicher has consistently advocated for ethics reform. House Republicans have introduced sweeping ethics reform legislation that would strengthen state laws to root out corruption and close loopholes. These proposals include prohibiting public officials from using campaign funds for legal defense, suspending pensions of retired lawmakers charged with a felony, ending the ‘revolving door’ practice of lawmakers leaving office and immediately becoming a lobbyist, and more.
“Unless the General Assembly takes action to pass our reforms, unethical behavior will still be the norm in Illinois, with the ‘Madigan Way’ festering in the Capitol. No more excuses or delays. House Democrats need to work with us to turn the page on the Madigan era once and for all,” Keicher added.
Currently, the Democratic Supermajority in the House has refused to schedule a committee hearing or vote on any of the House Republicans’ ethics reform legislation.