Sangamon Sun

House Republicans in Illinois are renewing their call for ethics reform in light of the recent convictions of several individuals involved in corruption cases. The list of convictions continues to grow, and House Republicans are urging their Democratic counterparts to take action.

Among the convictions in 2023 were four former Commonwealth Edison employees who were found guilty of conspiring to bribe former House Speaker Mike Madigan. Former Madigan Chief of Staff Tim Mapes was also convicted of lying to a grand jury, and Chicago businessman James T. Weiss was convicted of bribing state lawmakers. Former Chicago Democratic Alderman Edward Burke was also convicted of racketeering, bribery, and attempted extortion.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie expressed frustration with the lack of action from Democrats, stating, "Illinois has weak ethics laws and House Republicans have been pushing for significant reforms for years." McCombie emphasized the need to close loopholes and enhance penalties for those who violate the public's trust.

To address corruption and strengthen ethics laws, Illinois House Republicans have proposed several bills. These include House Bill 4119, which prohibits elected officials from using campaign donations for criminal defense, and House Bill 4286, which imposes a three-year revolving door ban on lobbying. Other proposals aim to enhance transparency and accountability in lobbying and ethics commissions.

In the education sector, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has adopted a literacy plan to improve reading skills among students. House Republican Leader Tony McCombie formed the House Republican Literacy Working Group in 2023 to address the issue. The General Assembly passed legislation urging educators to adopt evidence-based reading standards, and the ISBE has now adopted a comprehensive plan to implement these guidelines.

In the healthcare realm, 14 Illinois hospitals have been recognized as among America's best by data consolidator Healthgrades. The rankings are based on various factors, including patient outcomes. Three hospitals in Illinois, including Ascension Alexian Brothers, Advocate Lutheran General, and Carle Foundation, were listed among the top 50 in the nation.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has distributed $400 million in capital grants to independent colleges and universities. These grants will support the construction, repair, and renovation of campus infrastructure. Schools across Chicago, the suburbs, and Downstate Illinois have received funding, including DePaul University, Northwestern University, and Bradley University.

On the job front, Illinois saw an increase in the unemployment rate in December 2023. The rate rose to 4.8%, slightly higher than the national rate of 3.7%. While Illinois continues to create new jobs, certain sectors, such as trade, transportation, and utilities, have been impacted by changes in the retail economy.

In a positive development for the state, Nexamp, a facilitator of community-scaled solar power developments, has announced the creation of its headquarters in Chicago. The company plans to invest over $2 billion in solar arrays in Illinois, generating thousands of jobs and adding significant power to the state's electrical grid.

Lastly, February 2024 will see major festivals taking place across Illinois, including Groundhog Day events and Winter Carnivals. The Illinois Municipal League has an online calendar of events that showcases the various celebrations happening throughout the state.

As Illinois continues to grapple with corruption, House Republicans are pushing for ethics reform to restore trust in the government. With proposals on the table and a renewed call for action, the hope is that Illinois can move towards a more transparent and accountable future.