Illinois Reform Commission presents Gov. Quinn with 100-day report

By CAITLIN MULLEN

The Illinois Reform Commission (IRC) issued its 100-Day Report Tuesday and presented Gov. Pat Quinn with the findings, according to a news release.

Campaign finance, procurement, enforcement, government structure, transparency and inspiration of better government were brought up in the report. The report includes the commission’s research and recommendations on these ethical reforms.

The IRC has held public hearings and town hall meetings throughout Illinois to hear expert testimony and receive public input on ethics reform issues, according to the news release.

“We have done our best to be comprehensive and objective in our review and to propose reforms that we believe will have a meaningful impact on the culture of corruption that has infected our state,” said IRC Chair Patrick Collins in the news release. “The baton is now passed to the governor, the legislature and the public to discuss, debate and ultimately enact meaningful ethics reform by May 31.”

State Rep. Bob Pritchard (R-Hinckley) had not had a chance to read the report as of Tuesday night but had seen the main points proposed.

“Some issues they’ve addressed, I’ve been talking about and support,” Pritchard said. “Term limits for leadership is something I strongly support.”

Pritchard said the concentration of power in state government is too strong, though he said, “[Lisa] Madigan won’t ever let that issue come to the floor. But it’s something the people of Illinois should demand.”

Part of the report includes provisions on transparency and banning state employers from allowing family members to work in the same “sphere of influence,” commission member Brad McMillan told the Northern Star April 21. This would apply to state universities like NIU.

“I think that’s something we ought to be very judicious on,” Pritchard said. “That’s certainly a conflict of interest.”