Peoria Standard

Frustration boiled over for state Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) earlier this month. The representative was annoyed with the lack of progress in the statehouse on Illinois' most important issues. 

Spain has recently been vocal about the need for a fair, nonpartisan redistricting process and reform for ethics and transparency in Springfield. 

"It has been another week in Springfield and it was an infuriating start to the day," Spain vented at the May 14 news conference. "We were in session this morning for six minutes. Six minutes of quality legislative activity for the Illinois House of Representatives today, on this important Friday."

Sarcasm aside, Spain said that it's become a disappointing pattern in the House at a time when Illinois faces many pressing issues. At the time of the conference, a little over two weeks of session remained for May, and Spain called on his colleagues to get into high gear. 

"We have so many challenging issues that need to be resolved, and so today we're here to talk about many of those issues," Spain said. 

The representative listed the LaSalle Veterans' Home COVID-19 tragedy, the staggeringly long firearm owner identification (FOID) card backlog and ethics reform as top-priority issues. 

Several legislators have spoken out about the mismanagement that caused the LaSalle Veterans' Home outbreak, and have called for a thorough investigation into the people responsible for the disaster. 

Ethics and fair maps have been on the minds of many GOP lawmakers, too, especially after Gov. Pritzker went back on his campaign promise to veto a politician-made map.

A long history of maps made for political gain has plagued Illinois with gerrymandering, a practice that has weakened minority voices and allowed many ethical scandals.

Spain and many of his colleagues are demanding reform to address the loopholes in ethics laws.