Peoria Standard

State Representative Ryan Spain has expressed concern that the political culture associated with former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues in Springfield, despite Madigan's recent imprisonment for corruption. In an op-ed published in the Chicago Tribune, Spain outlined his perspective on the lack of substantive ethics reform in the Illinois legislature since Madigan’s departure.

Spain, who was elected in 2017 to represent the 73rd House District, was one of three House members who initiated a Special Investigative Committee aimed at removing Madigan from his role as the longest-serving speaker in U.S. history. Spain recalled how Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch, Madigan’s chief defender, worked to limit the committee's activities. “This is a sham, show trial,” Welch said after a committee hearing in December 2020.

Following Madigan's removal as speaker, Welch became his successor. Spain criticized the subsequent legislative actions, stating that “no substantive ethics reform legislation has been debated in the House or Senate committees, let alone on the floor of either chamber.” He argued that the one bill passed by Democrats, Public Act 102-664, was ineffective and even hindered investigations into legislative corruption. Spain noted that the legislative inspector general resigned in protest over the bill.

Spain highlighted that former Democratic Governor Pat Quinn and Bill Daley supported bipartisan ethics reforms and efforts to end partisan gerrymandering. He pointed out that Illinois’ political map has been rated poorly by outside evaluators and that supermajorities have prevented progress on government reform.

House Republicans have proposed several measures to address ethics and lobbying regulations. Spain noted that their leader, Rep. Tony McCombie, has sponsored legislation to prevent campaign funds from being used for criminal defense. Despite these efforts, Spain said that “no substantive ethics bills have been debated in either chamber of the Illinois legislature.”

Spain concluded by urging both Republican and Democratic legislators to recognize the cost of corruption and commit to reform. He stated, “As Madigan begins his time in prison this week, Republican and Democratic legislators must recognize the cost of corruption in Illinois and finally commit to taking action.”

More information about Spain's background can be found at https://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=102&MemberID=2906.