Southern Illinois News

State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) argues the ethics reform package now being pushed by Republicans is long past due.

“Senate Bill 3636 encompasses several commonsense ethics reform ideas that good government groups, government watchdogs, and legislators have spent years calling for,” Bryant said at a recent news conference. “I also agree that something must be done to ensure that we have a corruption-free and ethical state government, a government that our citizens can trust.”

With Republicans and Democrats alike having vowed to bring ethics reform to Springfield, Bryant is calling on Democrats to remain true to their word.

SB 3636 would prevent spouses and other close family members residing with a General Assembly member from engaging in lobbying if they accept compensation, along with preventing legislators from negotiating for employment with lobbying entities while holding public office.

In addition, the bill would grant the attorney general the power to convene a statewide grand jury to investigate, indict, and prosecute public corruption cases and suspected wrongdoing at the hands of public officials.

“Our legislation addresses the shortcomings within our state's lobbying restrictions and safeguards,” Bryant said. “Our package would prohibit legislators from negotiating for special interest lobbying jobs while they serve in the General Assembly. Additionally, we proposed strengthening the state's revolving door prohibition for General Assembly members by banning legislators from lobbying on behalf of special interests for a full 12 months after leaving office. Under current law, it is too easy for legislators to spend their time in Springfield advocating on behalf of special interests instead of their constituents and then be rewarded with cushy lobbying jobs by special interests after they leave office.”

Bryant discussed voters' expectations of lawmakers. 

“Our constituents expect us to be held to high ethical standards,” Bryant said. “They must know that we are adhering to both the letter and the spirit of the law so that they can be confident their representatives are representing them and not special interests. To regain the trust of the people of our state we must close the loopholes that lawmakers have used and abused over the years.”