How Many Corruption Convictions will it Take?
Tim Mapes, the Chief of Staff to former House Speaker Mike Madigan, was found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice yesterday afternoon. The conviction could result in a lengthy sentence for Mapes. This verdict underscores the need to throw out the Madigan playbook and enact strong anti-corruption measures at the statehouse.
Speaker Madigan’s trial involving charges he’s facing for RICO violations amidst a corruption bribery and racketeering scandal is expected to begin in 2024.
My House Republican colleagues and I have repeatedly demanded sweeping ethics reforms to clean up government and stamp out corruption since the 103rd General Assembly as seated in January of this year. Despite multiple press conferences, the introduction of multiple bills, and sadly, multiple trials, guilty verdicts, and new indictments, House Democrats have refused to take meaningful action on comprehensive ethics reform.
Illinois’ comeback story begins with honest government. House Republicans will continue to demand necessary changes to state ethics laws, including:
– Empowering the Legislative Inspector General with subpoena power, so that the LIG’s office can conduct thorough, meaningful investigations.
– Ending the practice of legislators working as lobbyists. This creates inherent conflicts of interest and undermines the faith and trust of the people of Illinois in their government.
– Suspending pensions from retired lawmakers that face corruption charges stemming from their work as legislators.
– Prohibiting the practice of politicians utilizing their campaign committee war chests for legal defense against charges of misconduct, sexual harassment, or discrimination.
August Marks the Conclusion of the Spring 2023 Bill Signings
Lawmakers have introduced 6,717 bills since taking their oaths of office in January 2023, with 4,129 bills filed in the House and 2,588 measures submitted to the Senate as of August 24, 2023.
Only a bit more than 8% of these bills have become law as of the August conclusion of the 2023 spring session signing cycle. When Gov. Pritzker concluded his 2023 summer bill-signing cycle, 561 measures had been signed as Public Acts. More than six thousand Illinois legislative measures were either rejected by the General Assembly, ignored, or folded into other bills. Some combination Public Acts contain the texts of two or more spring 2023 bills.
Some of the bills signed into law this summer went into effect immediately, while others have a “delayed effective date” that will swing into action on January 1, 2024, or some other date. Some bills are being held over for further consideration in the fall veto session and beyond. If you’re looking for information on where any specific bill is in the process, or information on the effective date of a new law, you can find it on the Illinois General Assembly website.
Wildfire Safety
The hot, dry, and windy weather We have experienced the past couple of weeks can lead to the dangers of wildfires burning in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources urges Illinois residents to become more vigilant and educated on wildfire safety so that incidents of fires can be prevented.
https://www.thecaucusblog.com/2023/08/wildfire-safety-and-controlled-burns-in.html
Around the District -Adams County Hazardous Waste Collection
The EPA has scheduled a Hazardous Household Waste collection at the Adams County Highway Department on October 7. This is a great way to get those outdated pesticides, meds, fuels and other potentially hazardous chemicals out of the house and disposed of properly.
Unclaimed Property
Thousands of Illinois residents can expect some cash back from Illinois’ Unclaimed Property program. You may be one of them!