Collins braces for possible fights over proposed reforms
On the eve of taking a series of government reform bills to Springfield, attorney Patrick Collins was less than optimistic Thursday about his chances for success.
Speaking to the Lisle Chamber of Commerce in Woodridge, Collins, the chairman of the Illinois Reform Commission, said legislators are not looking forward to his arrival.
Collins' commission and CHANGE Illinois, a coalition of civic, business, labor and community groups advocating campaign finance limits, will appear before the Illinois Senate Executive Committee to present proposals and argue for their passage.
"Tomorrow I'm going to Springfield to present some of our core proposals and I'm getting calls and e-mails every 15 minutes from legislators and others who want to try to compromise so that we don't cause a ruckus down there (Friday)," Collins said. "And the reality is we're not going there to create a ruckus but we're also not there just to compromise so that everyone can say there's reform but then when everybody goes home and takes credit for reform we really haven't reformed much."
Gov. Pat Quinn appointed the commission shortly before becoming governor in the wake of Rod Blagojevich's impeachment and ouster earlier this year. It recently unveiled proposals that members say will fundamentally change government and politics in the state.
For instance, the group called for computerized mapping of legislative districts rather than continuing to rely on a system that often results in a name being pulled out of a hat to give one political party control over the mapmaking.
The group also wants to limit to 10 years how long legislative leaders can serve in the post and is pushing to limit how much individuals, businesses, unions and others can donate to candidates.
Other proposals address state contracting and purchasing and expanded powers for state and local prosecutors.
"We worked very hard and put together a thoughtful but not perfect report and we're kicking and screaming and scratching and clawing just to get a hearing in Springfield," Collins said. "I'm told we're going to lose everything tomorrow and be voted down by everyone. That may well happen but we are going to keep firing away. There's no way that happens if people actually care."
Collins said he believes citizens and the legislators themselves do care, making ethics reform seem like a slam dunk. Political hierarchies, he said, often get in the way.
"Legislators are good and decent people, many of whom go down to Springfield very idealistic, but something happens to them down there and I think a lot of it is structural nature," he said. "So I'm not here to demonize legislators but I am here to challenge them not to hide behind their leadership but to come out, stand up and speak out."