Daily Herald opinion: It’s time to turn baby steps toward Illinois ethics reform into strides

When Illinois’ ethics reform package was signed into law two years ago, it was hailed as an important first step in leaving the state’s sad, sorry legacy of political corruption behind.

We called it a “baby step” at the time — one that needed to be followed by another, and then another on the long road to building a climate of trust in a state where four of the last 10 governors have served time behind bars and the former all-powerful house speaker awaits trial on corruption charges.

Baby steps, however, are meant to grow steadier and stronger. But to the surprise of no one who has followed Illinois politics over the past few decades, reform has remained in its infancy.

One of the changes that took effect as part of the 2021 reform package was aimed at addressing the revolving door of lawmakers leaving the General Assembly and becoming lobbyists overnight. The new law banned state lawmakers from registering as lobbyists for six months after leaving office — far below reformers’ call for wait periods of a year or two. Even worse, the ban applies to only the General Assembly that a wannabe lobbyist serves in. So if a lawmaker leaves office the day before a new General Assembly convenes, there is no need for a “cooling off” period.

That practice invites temptation to put self interest ahead of public service and build an in-office record that just might appeal to lucrative future employers.

That loophole must be closed, but it’s hardly the only “reform” in need of reforming.

Another much-needed move is to give the legislative inspector general real authority.

Right now, the state’s top legislative watchdog is reponsible for investigating ethics complaints against members of the Illinois General Assembly, but the position lacks the autonomy to do so in any meaningful way. The legislative inspector general must, for example, get permission from the Legislative Ethics Commission to subpoena documents and witnesses and even to publish its reports.

And who’s on that commission? Mostly legislators, the colleagues of those under investigation.

It’s a clear case, as one former legislative inspector general noted, of the fox guarding the hen house and another sobering example of how Illinois’ ethics standards fail its citizens.

In a few days, we will usher in 2024 — an election year that promises more of the same lip service to ethics reform. Incumbents should be prepared to explain what, if anything, they have done to build on 2021’s “first step.” Challengers should have concrete plans for what they would do differently.

Voters must weigh who among them has the courage to turn words into actions.

Should we need a reminder of what’s at stake, former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is expected to go on trial for corruption less than two weeks after the primary.

“Ethics reform should be the General Assembly’s top priority,” House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said following verdicts this spring in a related case. “How many indictments is too many? How many more court rulings do we need to make unethical behavior stop?”

And how long must we wait before Springfield turns baby steps into actual strides?