Prairie State Wire

Illinois state Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) is vowing to do all he can to make sure lawmakers in Springfield don’t lose their focus when it comes ushering in much needed ethics reforms.

With the entire country still preoccupied with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Illinois Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reforms missed its deadline to provide recommendations aimed at enacting reform practices in Springfield. Comprised of state lawmakers and members appointed by the offices of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the secretary of state and attorney general, the panel was convened last fall following the launch of a wide-ranging federal corruption probe that included allegations of bribery involving lawmakers, lobbyists and business leaders.

After holding several meetings during the first quarter, members last met in early March. They missed a March 31 deadline for producing a report with recommendations.

“There is concern that the governor could choose to, through the executive order, roll back those protections,” McConchie told The Center Square. “It is my sincere hope that he does not do that because at this point in time especially with the kind of crunch that we are feeling not only in our economy but in our state budget that we need to make sure that everything is above board right now.”

McConchie noted that the federal investigation is still ongoing and once the pandemic subsides he wants to see lawmakers retrain their focus on ethics.

CHANGE Illinois Executive Director Madeleine Doubek agrees, especially when it comes to the debate over whether the legislative inspector position should be totally independent.

“That just defies common sense that you would have to get the approval of lawmakers to investigate lawmakers,” she said. “That’s got to stop.”

With Pritzker having recently extended his stay at home order until May 31, it’s unknown when lawmakers will return to Springfield.