House leaders surveyed on ethics ideas

SPRINGFIELD - As part of its effort to take the pulse of the General Assembly on proposed ethics reforms, the Daily Herald asked the top Republican and Democrat in the Illinois House to participate.

Surveys published earlier this week of lawmakers from the Daily Herald circulation area found overwhelming support for most of the key principles of the Illinois Reform Commission's proposals for ethics. The full survey can be found at http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=294142.

Here are the responses from Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego and House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat.

1. Should there be limits on how much individuals, businesses, unions, lobbyists and others can give to candidates?

Madigan: Undecided

Cross: Yes

2. Should there be a state-contracting czar overseeing all procurement independent of the governor and lawmakers?

Madigan: No answer.

Cross: Yes

3. Should the attorney general and local prosecutors be given powers akin to the U.S. attorney to investigate corruption?

Madigan: No

Cross: No

4. Would you support limiting how long a legislative leader can serve in the leadership post?

Madigan: No

Cross: No

5. Would you vote to do away with the current redistricting process and replace it with a nonpartisan system?

Madigan: No

Cross: Yes

6. Should the state freedom of information laws be rewritten to include penalties for those who intentionally violate them?

Madigan: Yes

Cross: Yes

7. Should the state reduce the number of political jobs?

Madigan: No

Cross: Yes

8. Should the primary be moved to June?

Madigan: No

Cross: Yes