Peoria Standard

Even as Republican lawmakers in Springfield make gains in their push for ethics reform legislation, GOP Senate Ethics Committee spokesperson and Senate Ethics Commission chairwoman Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Macomb) freely admits there is still much work to be done.

“One of the main issues our caucus focused on was fixing government corruption,” Tracy said in a video posted to YouTube. “That was a priority of ours this session. Well, it took off to a rocky start, but we are happy to stand here today knowing that we played a major part in helping root out the corruption that plagues this building. By forcing our way to the table, the Senate Republicans were able to make what was a very watered-down, weak proposal one that we can be proud of today.”

Still, Tracy shares much of the hard work is just beginning.

“Mark my words, we have much work to do,” she said. “We’re going to push for the ideas that didn’t make it into this final package and we will continue to advocate for the attorney general’s power to use a statewide grand jury to investigate, indict and prosecute crimes so we're not always waiting on the federal government to come in to prosecute and clean up our mess. We’re not giving up on the need to enact a stronger legislator-to-lobbyist revolving door (law) so that sitting legislators can't resign and become a lobbyist the very next day.”

Senate Bill 539 includes a provision that paves the way for the Legislative Inspector General to initiate a political corruption investigation without having to await approval from the Legislative Ethics Commission.

Tracy said Republican lawmakers are willing to do whatever it takes to clean up corruption in Springfield, adding that Republicans are willing to reach across the aisle to get the job done.

“I’m pleased to note that our spring session did at least accomplish the ethics package that was enacted and we will continue to send a meaningful ethics reform package to the governor,” she said.