Normal, IL, USA / www.cities929.com
May 27, 2021 | 4:44 PM
(The Center Square) – After a string of indictments on a variety of alleged corruption against former state lawmakers and officials, ethics reforms have been slow to be adopted at the Illinois statehouse. Some hope to get reforms across the finish line before the end of the session.
On Wednesday, federal prosecutors indicted former clerk of the House and former House Speaker Michael Madigan Chief of Staff Tim Mapes for lying to a grand jury. That’s the latest in a slew of federal indictments over the past year in the federal ComEd bribery probe.
Illinois corruption package is light on needed reforms
Illinois corruption package is light on needed reforms Senate Bill 4, the likely vehicle for ethics reform in Springfield, offers slight improvements over the Madigan era. But if Illinois is serious about ending its culture of corruption, key points need more muscle.
It’s pretty clear Illinois has a corruption problem and needs ethics reforms, but the proposal likely emerging as Springfield tries to fix itself needs to be bulked up – especially on some key points – to make meaningful change.
Democrats’ omnibus package, Senate Bill 4, is most likely to become law with a Democratic supermajority in the General Assembly. Republicans have their own omnibus proposal filed in Senate Bill 1350, but its future is sketchy.
Rental assistance program underway in Illinois
A federally funded rental assistance program is underway.
After weeks of saying the program was coming, the Illinois Housing Development Authority website now says the program is launching today.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker made a stop in Chicago this morning touting the program.
He’s scheduled in the Metro East St. Louis region midday and will be in Springfield this afternoon.
Ethics package headed for a final approval in the House
An ethics package in the Illinois Senate could soon get a vote and be sent to the House for final approval.
One measure poised for passage is Senate Bill 4 touching on issues surrounding lawmakers and lobbyists, including more financial disclosures.
WBGZ Radio 5/9/2021 |
By Greg Bishop - Illinois Radio Network
The Illinois Senate adjourned for the week without passing onto the House a bill to bring about ethics reforms, but work continues. One thing left out of the package is giving the Legislative Inspector General independence to investigate claims of wrongdoing brought against lawmakers.
State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, said the package of reforms in Senate Bill 4 addresses lobbyist registration, a revolving door prohibition and statements of economic interest.
“So as we’ve had a lot of testimony, so has the Senate, so we’re trying to work together and try to work across the aisle and try to come up with some real meaningful changes,” Burke said.
by Greg Bishop, The Center Square | May 07, 2021 01:00 PM Print this article
The Illinois Senate adjourned for the week without passing onto the House a bill to bring about ethics reforms, but work continues. One thing left out of the package is giving the Legislative Inspector General independence to investigate claims of wrongdoing brought against lawmakers.
State Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Evergreen Park, said the package of reforms in Senate Bill 4 addresses lobbyist registration, a revolving door prohibition and statements of economic interest.
“So as we’ve had a lot of testimony, so has the Senate, so we’re trying to work together and try to work across the aisle and try to come up with some real meaningful changes,” Burke said.