Peoria Standard

State Sen. Sally Turner (R-Beason) has voiced her support of Senate Bill 3636, an ethics reform package.

Turner represents Illinois' 44th Senate District and she made her comments at a Jan. 27 news conference.

"As a new member of the Illinois General Assembly, serving on the State Ethics Committee, I have unfortunately quickly learned that our state lacks the adequate protections against corruption in many areas, whether it's a process of how the legislative Inspector General is chosen or the constraints placed on those responsible for fighting corruption such as in the legislative inspector General's office, or the countless loopholes that may be manipulated for unethical purposes," Turner said.

According to Open States, under SB 3636, no legislator may, during his or her term of office, negotiate for employment with a lobbying entity. The bill would provide limitations concerning lobbying by a member of the General Assembly or his or her spouse or any immediate family member living with that member of the General Assembly. The bill would also prohibit former members of the General Assembly from lobbying the General Assembly within a specified period of time. 

"Today we're continuing to push from last year for strong, commonsense reforms that will truly root out corruption our state has become all too known for," Turner said. "Our proposal is built upon the general assembly's recent work, addressing any glaring omissions from last year's ethics package. These ideas will help protect the people of Illinois and they deserve to be discussed this spring."

Senate Bill 3636 was filed on Jan. 19. Twelve Republicans are co-sponsoring the bill. The bill, upon passage, will go into effect immediately. The bill is currently within the Senate Assignments Committee.

"Our legislation will finally implement real change that the people of Illinois have asked for and that they truly want. Our constituents are simply tired of waiting for change. We must act now, it's time for legislators who have promised to combat corruption to keep their word and to change the culture of politics in Illinois.