Lawmakers need to fix the system

Had enough?

The arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich should be enough to light a fire under the Illinois General Assembly.

Yes, Gov. Blagojevich should resign. But because that would be the honorable thing for him to do, a resignation is not expected.

If he does not resign, the General Assembly should pass a law stripping him of the power to appoint Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.

But that is not enough. The Illinois House should move forward with impeachment proceedings. Illinois cannot function under the leadership of a man who has lost the trust and confidence of the public.

For several decades, the men and women elected to the General Assembly and other statewide offices have not done enough to end the culture of corruption in state government and too many local governments.

At a minimum, state legislators - Democrats and Republicans - have been enablers. George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich came to power in a system energized by money from people buying access, contracts, tax breaks and other benefits.

Passing legislation to take away Gov. Blagojevich's power to name the state's next U.S. Senator and removing him from office are not enough.

It is time for the General Assembly to pass tough new laws limiting the size of campaign contributions, banning contributions by corporations and unions, prohibiting large transfers by legislative leaders to candidates, creating a system of voluntary financing of judges, taking politics out of redistricting, strengthening the State Board of Elections, toughening lobbyist regulation and making it easier for the public to access public records through the Freedom of Information Act.

The General Assembly also should make certain the recent pay-to-play legislation, which will take effect Jan. 1, is enforced and that the State Board of Elections has the funding and determination to carry out its responsibilities under the new law.

Voters, too, share some responsibility.

Enough is enough. It is time for action.

Cindi Canary

Director, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform