By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The old reformer himself, former Gov. Pat Quinn, returned to the Capitol Tuesday to again talk about ethics in politics and government – in light of the convictions of the Com Ed Four.

It was a trip down memory lane, listening to Quinn talk about what he thinks is good for the state.

“What I’m calling for today is a special session with a wide-ranging focus on ethical reform in Illinois that includes a conflict of interest law along the lines of what (former) inspector general Tom Homer talked about,” said Quinn. “It includes a political honesty initiative to basically answer what the court said in 1976 that, right now, only the General Assembly can regulate itself.”

Commonwealth Edison officials and lobbyists were convicted of trying to bribe now former speaker Mike Madigan, who himself faces trial next year. Quinn said a jury has the final say but did allow that he’s disappointed Madigan blocked ethics legislation in his decades as speaker.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]