A call for tougher ethics

Posted on August 19, 2020
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) says the reform-minded bills can be called.(PHOTO:Dave Dahl)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD– With a multi-million-dollar influence-peddling case landing a $200 million fine for Commonwealth Edison, and yet another lawmaker being indicted, House Republicans say it’s past time to tighten up on ethics.

Even in the super-minority, they believe their bills can be called for a vote.

“They need to have a tremendous amount of pressure,” said State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) at a Capitol news conference Tuesday. “There’s, how many Democrat legislators who have already said the speaker needs to resign? The speaker needs to be under more pressure to take care of this. That’s going to require these Democrats to get a backbone and stand up to the speaker, who controls all of the money!”

Wilhour joined other lawmakers to announce bills that eliminate cost-of-living increases for lawmakers, make it easier for bills to get called for a vote, and impose term limits on lawmakers. They say special interests and money hold too much sway over the lawmakers.

With the bills already written, they say they want a special session before the Nov. 3 election.

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