Illinois new rallying cry: Ethics Here. Ethics Now.

As the old saying goes, the more things change, the more things stay the same. Such is the case in Illinois, which has some of the most lax ethics laws in the nation. HB824 is a painstakingly crafted piece of legislation that took eons of negotiation and compromise to pass both houses of the IL legislature. Now, Governor Rod Blagojevich plans to re-write the legislation using his amendatory veto powers. Most people believe this will result in the legislature rejecting the changes and zero legislation being passed. After countless news stories of ethical lapses from government officials, some elected officials are not letting the legislation go down without a fight.

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) weighed in with a Tribune op-ed last Friday with a strong piece urging the governor’s signature on the legislation.

The legislation places campaign contribution limits on individuals and businesses that receive state contracts and requires more disclosure and transparency from those bidders who do business with the state.

It passed unanimously out of both chambers of the General Assembly earlier this year.
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We’ve heard the promises, the sound-bite slogans and empty rhetoric. We’ve endured the headline pandering and witnessed the corruption that has resulted from inaction.

Pay-to-play politics demonstrates that you can put a price tag on corruption and it’s a cost Illinois can no longer afford. We’re ready for reform.

Rep. John Fritchey (D) blogged this unflattering prediction of Blagojevich’s actions:

There is little to no doubt that the Governor is going to AV the bill. And there is little to no doubt that his actions will result in widespread criticism. So what do you do if you’re the Governor?

I’m guessing that you AV the bill while everybody is focused on the Democratic Convention, while most of the major political reporters who are familiar with the story are half a country away, and while stories of Barack’s nomination are taking up most of the media space. I’ll even predict a Thursday or even Friday announcement of his action, so as to provide for maximum story burial potential, under the shadow of Barack’s acceptance speech.

So while many Illinois Democrats hope to ride Barack’s coattails, it looks like the Governor will try to hide behind them. It may be a good political move, but a profile in courage it isn’t.

If you doubt IL is in need of ethics legislation, here is a small sample of just today’s headlines:
Sun Timesand Daily Herald