Illinois Republicans say ethics legislation being ignored by Democrats
[March 24, 2025]
By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square
(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.
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Illinois state Reps. Dave Severin, R-Benton, Patrick Windhorst,
R-Metropolis, and David Friess, R-Red Bud, during a news conference
in Springfield March 21, 2025 - Greg Bishop | The Center Square
“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.
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