State Rep. Jeff Keicher is among the Republican state lawmakers alleging that, despite the resignation of longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan, ethics legislation is being stalled and kept from the floor. | File Photo
State Rep. Jeff Keicher is among the Republican state lawmakers alleging that, despite the resignation of longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan, ethics legislation is being stalled and kept from the floor. | File Photo
Illinois House of Representatives Republicans are concerned that the ruling Democratic Party has done little to address the need for ethics reforms following the resignation of longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).
State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) recently posted to social media to highlight the need for immediate reforms.
“We have to take action now to create lasting, positive change for Illinois' future,” Keicher said in an April 16 Facebook post. “We can end corruption, make our state a leader in job creation, and strengthen all communities across Illinois if we work together in Springfield.
Madigan was implicated in a federal bribery probe in 2020. At the start of the new legislative session in January, lawmakers elected Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) to serve as House Speaker.
Republicans, however, say the speaker retains extensive power, which they allege is still being used to prevent GOP-sponsored legislative reforms from being considered.
State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) said that approximately 82% of the 697 bills that have made it to the floor for a vote this session were sponsored by Democrats, NPR reported.
Some examples of the kinds of legislation Republicans have sponsored, but which Welch has not permitted to make it to the floor, include a ban on lawmakers serving as lobbyists and a provision to permit citizen-led recall petitions.
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