Opinion

Politicians shouldn’t hire former lobbyists

Posted March 14, 2012 4:00 am

I am appalled and deeply concerned by the lobbyist influence in Rep. Joe Walsh’s office. According to data published by the Center for Responsive Politics, Rep. Walsh’s chief of staff is Justin M. Roth, a former lobbyist for Independent Insurance Agents of America and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

K Street influence in politics is one thing, but this blatant abuse of the revolving door only facilitates the writing and passing of legislation that favors insurance corporations, and not the Illinois public. I praise the few members of Congress who refuse to employ former lobbyists, but Rep. Walsh is not one of them. We must use this election cycle to demand a stop to lobbyist influence within our legislature, and it must start with Rep. Walsh this year.

Jamie Hammond

Palatine

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