The Quincy Herald-Whig
Nov. 25

Overdue reforms: Ethics, death penalty law changes are a good start, but lawmakers should remain vigilant

Illinois legislators approved a new ethics law and death penalty reforms during the veto session that ended last week. These changes were long overdue and lawmakers should keep a close eye on how well the laws work. If anything, tougher reforms may be needed.

The ethics law requires annual ethics training for every state employee. It limits what elected officials can receive in the way of food or entertainment from lobbyists. It protects whistle blowers who report wrongdoing, limits public service announcements that promote politicians and prohibits campaign work that uses state resources, property or on-the-clock employees.

Most importantly, the ethics law sets up inspectors general who will investigate possible corruption and work through an ethics commission. This corrects a flaw by putting a watchdog mechanism in place, where up until now there had been no mandate to seek out and prosecute political corruption.

Death penalty reforms give the Illinois Supreme Court additional powers to overturn capital sentences. There are new rules that prevent the state from executing mentally challenged inmates, and to investigate perjury by law enforcement officials.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich had vetoed earlier versions of both these laws, but worked with lawmakers on stronger versions that were passed during the veto session. Blagojevich said ethics legislation gives Illinoisans a reason to believe in state government. He said death penalty reforms are a good start, but he does not plan to end a moratorium on executions until he sees how well the reforms work.

In both instances, new laws will not of themselves eliminate the problems.

The reforms are a good start, but lawmakers and the public must be vigilant to make sure these laws work and, if they fall short, take additional measures.