Senate removes enforcement from ethics legislation

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Senate removes enforcement from ethics legislation

May 31, 2003

BY KRISTY HESSMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Illinois lawmakers approved a broad plan to strengthen state ethics laws Saturday-- after deleting the enforcement provisions.

One day after the ethics overhaul was approved by the House, members of the Senate deleted the parts that would create ethics commissions and inspectors general to enforce the law.

The new version passed the Senate 56-0. The House then agreed with the changes on a 114-0 vote, sending the bill to Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich has raised the possibility of rejecting it if it lacks "real teeth."

Under the legislation, all state employees would receive annual ethics training, be banned from doing political work on state time and be protected from retaliation for turning in co-workers who break the law.

Officials would have clear limits on gifts they can accept from lobbyists.

Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest, the bill's sponsor, said she deleted the enforcement measures because she wasn't sure they were practical.

"I reluctantly support this," Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, R-Glenview, said the when the revised version reached the House. "At least it is something related to political activities and legislative activities.

Cindi Canary, executive director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, said the changes are consistent with the Legislature's "sorry history" of resisting meaningful change.

Lawmakers said ethics legislation is important because many voters have lost confidence in state leaders because of recent scandals.

Gov. George Ryan's former chief of staff and campaign committee were convicted of practically turning the secretary of state's office into an arm of Ryan's political machine.

Rep. Lee Daniels of Elmhurst stepped down as the state's Republican Party chairman and decided not to run for re-election as House minority leader amid similar questions.

Neither Ryan nor Daniels has been charged with any wrongdoing.

The ethics bill would bar registered lobbyists from serving on state boards that set policy. Lobbyists also would have to report more quickly when they are hired by interest groups.

State officials would still be allowed to collect campaign donations from their employees but not to offer raises or promotions as incentives to contribute.

Officials would be barred from running state-funded public service announcements while they are candidates. Lawmakers would not be allowed to hold political fund-raisers in Springfield when the Legislature is in session.