Kane County Reporter

State Sen. Don Dewitte (R- West Dundee) is touting Senate Bill 3636 as a series of “no-nonsense proposals” that need to be enacted in the battle to clean up Springfield corruption.

“We're here to say today it is not okay to have the legislative Inspector General's seat empty and it is not OK for legislators to think they can simply police themselves,” DeWitte said at a recent news conference. “These are solid no-nonsense proposals that would hold elected officials accountable for their behavior and increase transparency within our state's government.”

SB 3636 would prevent spouses and other close family members who reside with a General Assembly member from engaging in lobbying if they accept compensation. In addition, the measure seeks to prevent legislators from negotiating for employment with lobbying entities while holding public office, along with granting the attorney general the power to convene a statewide grand jury to investigate, indict, and prosecute public corruption cases.”

DeWitte said lawmakers have long ago proven they are virtually incapable of policing themselves.

“Today marks three weeks that the position of the Legislative Inspector General has been empty,” he said. “We know that there is currently at least one unopened complaint sitting at the vacant legislative Inspector General's office and a number of unanswered phone call messages. We know the stories of how deep political corruption runs in this state.”

DeWitte said Republican lawmakers are united in terms of where they go from here.

“Senate Republicans will continue to push for real reform both within the context of the legislative Inspector General's office and within the ethics package we are unveiling today,” he said.