House, Senate leaders form ethics committee

SPRINGFIELD -- Leaders in the General Assembly are forming a committee to consider tighter ethics laws.

Senate President John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan said Tuesday they'd file a resolution to create a 16-member panel.

The two Chicago Democrats say the impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich points to a need to improve disclosure requirements and openness so people can better monitor government. Blagojevich was removed from office last week.

But the pair did not endorse more stringent rules on current practices, such as limits on campaign contributions, perhaps the top priority for government-reform groups. Illinois has no limit on the amount of money someone may donate to a politician.

Federal prosecutors allege in a criminal complaint filed in December that Blagojevich was on a race to collect as much campaign cash as possible before a tougher law took effect Jan. 1. They claim he tried to trade official government action for personal gain, such as selling Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat for contributions.

Blagojevich has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Madigan pointed out that "much of the governor's alleged actions are already illegal," but, he said, "we can still improve oversight and disclosure requirements to increase transparency."

Cullerton said he is also interested in action to strengthen ethics commissions, improve procurement and safeguard pension funds.

The two leaders also directed their lawyers to meet with Gov. Pat Quinn's new ethics commission to discuss legislation that could require disclosure of investigative reports of government corruption. They also would consider stronger lobbyist "revolving-door" laws and greater protection for whistleblowers.