Ethics reform package advances
Measure moves through House committee

By MARY MASSINGALE
STATE CAPITOL BUREAU

May 30, 2003

Bipartisan ethics legislation moved through an Illinois House committee Thursday, after a year when federal investigations touched the current legislature and a former governor’s administration.

Backed by House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Rep. Tom Cross introduced legislation calling for annual ethics training for all state employees, banning political work on state time, prohibiting the promise of any jobs or bonuses for political contributions and banning gifts to lawmakers, state employees and their families.

“We want to restore the public’s faith and trust in Illinois government, and we think this goes a long way to do that,” said Cross, a Republican from Oswego.

However, state employees already are banned from doing political work on state time, and political favors, job offers and salary increases for campaign contributions already are illegal.

Senate Bill 703 also creates separate ethics commissions for the executive and legislative branches, provides protection to whistleblowers, prohibits state officeholders from broadcasting public service announcements during an election and bans lobbyists from state panels.

The legislation is expected to be called today for a House vote.

An advocate of political reform applauded the proposal but noted that in light of recent investigations, “there’s only really one way to go” for Illinois.

“Just because we put a system in place or we enact a law, we have to be just as vigilant as we ever were,” said Cindi Canary of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. “You know, old habits die hard.”

The proposal comes amid promises by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to stop “business as usual” in Springfield, and while lawmakers struggle with allegations of corruption in both parties.

Federal prosecutors last week subpoenaed documents from the office of Senate President Emil Jones as they investigate allegations that staff members of the Chicago Democrat performed political work on state time.

Prosecutors also are investigating similar allegations against Madigan, a Democrat from Chicago, and former House Minority Leader Lee Daniels, R-Elmhurst.

Scott Fawell, an aide to former Gov. George Ryan when he served as secretary of state, was convicted by a federal jury in March of political corruption charges that include racketeering conspiracy, mail fraud and stealing state property. Ryan has not been charged.

The proposal repeals the state’s current Gift Ban Act but actually reinstates a stricter version by more clearly defining terms, Canary said.

The bill prohibits political fund raising in Sangamon County on any legislative session day from Feb. 1 until the day after final adjournment. It also bans lawmakers, constitutional officers, state employees and their families from accepting gifts but spells out 10 exceptions that include food and refreshments not to exceed $75 a day.

Canary called a provision that includes “electioneering communication” among political expenditures as out of character for the state and along the lines of the federal McCain-Feingold campaign reform proposal.

“Electioneering communication” is any communication that refers to a candidate or political party and is made within 60 days of a general election or 30 days of a primary.

“That is a dramatic, leading-the-way kind of thing for Illinois to do, and we don’t often lead the way on these things,” she said.

Canary said the provision is an obvious referral to commercials that aired during last year’s campaign that were funded by unknown groups separate from the campaign of defeated Republican attorney general candidate Joe Birkett.

She acknowledged that if passed, the proposal will throw a wrench into the 2004 campaigns of state officials accustomed to the old ways.

“There will be a learning curve,” Canary said. “But it offers hope in changing things.

Ethics legislation

Following are high points of bipartisan ethics legislation introduced in the House:

Strict documentation of work time, comp time and travel reimbursement for all state employees.

Annual ethics training for all constitutional officers and state employees.

Prohibits state employees from doing political work on state time or using state resources. Employees also may not be rewarded with bonuses or comp time for doing any political work.

Constitutional officers or legislators may not broadcast or print a public service announcement using their image from the time they file as a candidate until after the election.

Creates separate ethic commissions for the executive and legislative branches to investigate alleged wrongdoing. Two toll-free hot lines would be established to register complaints.

Prohibits retaliation against state employees who report suspected ethics violations.

Prohibits gifts to constitutional officers, legislators, state employees and their families. However, they may receive food or refreshments valued at up to $75 a day.

Registered lobbyists may not serve on state boards and commissions.

Mary Massingale can be reached at 782-6882 or mary.massingale@sj-r.com