From the Daily Herald:

Ethics plan toothless, disappointed critics contend
By Joseph Ryan Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted June 01, 2003

SPRINGFIELD - Lawmakers sent to the governor Saturday an ethics package that some good government groups said failed to meet campaign promises to change the way things are done at the Capitol.

"We are extremely disappointed," Cindi Canary, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform said. "The attorney general and governor ran saying 'No more business as usual.' We had a big campaign about ethics. Where is it?"

The plan approved by lawmakers restricts lobbyists from serving on state commissions, bans state-paid advertisements during campaign season, and requires documentation of employee time. The latter is designed to ensure state workers aren't helping on campaigns while on the state taxpayers' time. The federal government has started investigations into the use of state workers by Senate and House Democrats as well as the practices of House Republicans under then-Republican leader Lee A. Daniels of Elmhurst.

Yet, the Illinois Senate yanked oversight and enforcement mechanisms out of the legislation, which the Illinois House originally approved.

The initial measure would have established ethics commissions and inspector generals to keep on eye on and advise lawmakers and the governor, attorney general, comptroller, treasurer and secretary of state.

Lawmakers blamed the move on squabbling about the authority and duties of the proposed ethics commissions. Several lawmakers promised to add some sort of watchdog system later this year, but others were skeptical anything would materialize.

The main thrusts of the proposal are designed to dig deep into the day-to-day operations of state government. It prevents state employees from leaping directly into contracting companies after leaving the state's employment.

Further, local officials would have to pass similar ethics laws for their employees.