Galesburg Reporter

Senate Legislative Ethics Committee Chair Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) is intent on holding lawmakers to their word when it comes to ethics reform.

“Less than a year ago members from both sides of the aisle promised that the ethics package we passed was only the first step to rooting out corruption,” Tracy said at a recent news conference. “We haven't got forgotten our promise and we hope that our Democrat colleagues haven't either. We are committed to the people of Illinois and hold true to our word and that is why we are prepared today to take another step.”

In announcing the filing of Senate Bill 3636, Tracy said the bill is meant to pave the way for citizens to get back to the days of being able trust in their government. The bill would prevent spouses and other close family members who reside with a General Assembly member from engaging in lobbying if they accept compensation, along with preventing legislators from negotiating for employment with lobbying entities while holding public office. In addition, the bill would allow the attorney general the power to convene a statewide grand jury to investigate, indict, and prosecute public corruption cases and suspected corruption at the hands of public officials.

“We must take meaningful action to truly address corruption within our government,” Tracy said. “For years, numerous studies have ranked Illinois as one of the most corrupt states in the nation. According to Forbes' news outlet, Illinois has experienced the second highest number of public corruption convictions per capita. We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand and act surprised when yet another Illinois politician is indicted, nor can we ignore the advice and recommendations of our Legislative Inspector General and pretend that her resignation wasn't the result of legislative inaction.”

Tracy said it’s easy for her to see where lawmakers in Springfield need to go from here.

“We should fill the vacant legislative Inspector General's position with a candidate that the independent search committee highly recommended, not one hand-chosen by the Democrat politicians,” she said. “Then, we must pass legislation that holds legislators, public officials and other elected officials accountable for their actions and ensure the only interest they are looking out for are those of their constituents.”