SE Illinois News

State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is imploring Democrats to “put their money where their mouth is” when it comes to their newfound push for ethics reform legislation.

“I’m open to any proposals that will bring about reform and give the people of this state the level of service they deserve,” Bailey told the SE Illinois News. “If it’s real, we’ll be willing to look at it. A group of us will be in Springfield this week calling on top lawmakers to convene a special session to deal with this issue. We can propose things all day, but until we’re in session nothing can be done.”

With longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) now embroiled in a still developing federal corruption probe involving utility giant ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme, some Democrat lawmakers are pushing an array of reform measures they tout as ways to change the culture in Springfield. Topping the list of proposals are measures that would ban legislators from becoming lobbyists, require greater financial disclosures, establish a censure process, make the legislative inspector general more independent, and institute term limits.

“We as lawmakers need to keep pushing and investigators need to keep digging because the people of this state are getting tired of all this,” Bailey added. “I’m hoping it will move them to action in November and beyond. I say if Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker is still in the driver’s seat in two years we’ve got problems on a level you can’t imagine.”

Bailey said the rot has become so bad in Springfield it's not enough to just plan for ousting Madigan from power.

“People are going to have to vote in conservative-minded people from top to bottom because as long as Democrats remain in control as a party we’ll continue to see the same problems,” he said.