From the Tribune

Illinois Senate approves Blagojevich-endorsed package that restricts lawmakers
By Ray Long | Chicago Tribune reporter
    September 24, 2008
Less than 24 hours after approving major ethics legislation aimed at Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Illinois Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a package backed by the governor that would put some of the same restrictions on lawmakers.
Blagojevich and his chief legislative ally, Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), said the legislation would close loopholes in the just-approved law that bans campaign donations to statewide officeholders from those who have or are seeking state contracts totaling more than $50,000. The Senate measure would extend the campaign-donation ban to lawmakers.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago), includes a proposed ban on lawmakers holding other government jobs. Another provision would require lawmakers to vote on pay raises based on a yes-or-no vote. Currently lawmakers in both chambers must vote to reject a pay raise or it takes effect automatically.
Blagojevich immediately issued a statement urging the House to take up the legislation before the Nov. 4 election. "Members of the Senate have made it clear that they are ready to change the business-as-usual policies of state government and put the interests of the people first," he said.
But critics suggested the proposal was a face-saving maneuver by the governor, whose administration faces myriad federal corruption investigations into jobs, contracts and fundraising.
They also questioned the future of the governor's ethics plan in the House, where the bill is headed after Tuesday's 50-1 vote.
"The problem in Illinois, the cancer in Illinois, is the governor," said Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline).
Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), a House sponsor of the new ethics law, questioned why the governor didn't put such an emphasis on ethics earlier in his six-year tenure.
"While there are good concepts contained in the bill, in its present form, it's much more sizzle than steak," he said.
Jones said some lawmakers don't want their actions restricted even though they had no problem limiting Blagojevich's fundraising Monday.
"What it gets down to is whose ox is gored," Jones said.