Kane County Reporter

Illinois lawmakers failed to take a stern stance and pass tougher state ethics laws despite a number of elected officials including seven current or former state legislators, three Chicago aldermen and a Cook County commissioner being charged with federal crimes in the last few years. 

Although an ethics bill aimed at making some improvements did pass the General Assembly, Republican lawmakers want to see more progress toward cutting corruption from government. 

"We have to hold elected officials to the highest ethical standards to get our state on a better path forward. Illinois needs robust ethics reform to end public corruption and earn back the trust of our residents," Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) wrote in a post on his Facebook page. "It is a shame that the dozens and dozens of House Republican ethics proposals filed this year were again thrown out by the House Democrats. One day, I hope to see real ethics reforms implemented for the people of Illinois."

The Chicago Sun Times reported under the new ethics "reform" state lawmakers will be barred from working as a lobbyist for at least six months after the end of their term, but it doesn't apply to those lawmakers in the next session who'll be able to work as a lobbyist the day after leaving office. 

There's also a new ban on lawmakers getting hired to lobby state or local governments, according to the Chicago Sun Times. 

The Chicago Sun Times also highlighted a new requirement for elected officials and certain employees to disclose any sources of income that exceed $7,500.