Now is the time for reform in Illinois

This week, a Rasmussen poll found that 89 percent of Illinois citizens think state politicians haven't done enough about Illinois' "Culture of Corruption," which is why I support an across-the-board reform of Illinois' contribution limits, including limits on the Illinois GOP.

Under the guise of ethics reform, Democrat Speaker of the House Mike Madigan is pushing a bill that would limit the amount of money you, the voter, can give to anyone running for office in Illinois. However, the measure does not limit how much Mike Madigan and other party leaders can dole out to their favorite candidates. The result will be representatives who are beholden to party bosses instead of their constituents. After years of corruption, no one should be surprised by the Democrats' reluctance for true reform.

Republicans have learned from mistakes of the past. Our first priority is to get Illinois' house in order and run a transparent government that serves the people and not the other way around. Republicans support real reform for the good of Illinois. I stand with House Minority Leader Tom Cross and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno in limiting our own power, and the power of Mike Madigan and John Cullerton, by placing reasonable caps on the amount party and legislative leaders can give to individual candidates - anything less is nothing but business as usual.

Pat Brady

St. Charles

Chairman

Illinois Republican Party