Special session needed to show urgency of fighting corruption

"Republicans want special session on ethics. Pritzker says no."

This was a recent headline in the State Journal-Register and it perfectly sums up the position of the Democratic party when it comes to ethics reform.

Any casual observer can see the corruption in our system and they rightfully have zero confidence that the people in power who are benefiting from it have any desire to root it out. Why then are Democrats so opposed to addressing this matter with the sense of urgency that it calls for?

Gov. Pritzker says he is "angry" and "disgusted" by the corruption cases in Illinois. Is he really, or is this just all talk?

So far, it's mostly talk.

The governor is in a unique position to force accountability on Springfield by doing what he was elected to do: Lead. By surrendering to the status-quo, he's failing this test.

And it is not just the governor slow-walking and resisting ethics reform. Where are individual lawmakers on the issue? Is your member of the House and Senate bold enough to stand up to the rampant corruption and the appalling lack of urgency to address it? You should demand it of them.

Corruption and influence peddling are problems that cut across the political spectrum. Republican Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady has rightfully found himself in the hot seat. As have Speaker Madigan, former Rep. Arroyo, Sen. Cullerton, former Sen. Sandoval and the list goes on.

The fact that situations like this are rampant in Illinois is the problem. It isn't just one person; it is a culture of corruption and self-dealing that must be addressed.

We should have zero tolerance for self-dealing. Accountability is simple. Either you've done the right things or you've done the wrong things. But politicians make it complicated because so many are tangled up in this mess and have a vested interest in maintaining the status-quo that has given them their power, wealth and position.

Should the public really believe the Democratic solution of a commission made up of members loyal to the current leadership will solve the problem of corruption in state government? Illinois politicians have a habit of trying to make controversial and difficult problems disappear inside phony commissions.

Commissions make good fodder for press releases, but task forces will not substantively change the culture of corruption in Springfield.

It is time to get serious about rooting out corruption. Recently, we called for a special session because it is critical to take immediate, lasting and comprehensive action on ethics reform. A special session would force the focus on ethics reforms and prevent distractions by the myriad issues that inevitably come up during the regular session.

The credibility of our institutions is dependent on decisive and urgent actions to end the culture of corruption. Without reform, every issue put before the legislature is shrouded in the cloud of corruption, influence peddling and self-dealing that has been cast over the capitol.

There are many good reforms that have been introduced. Committing to setting aside time to specifically deal with these safeguards is not a big ask.

How many arrests, FBI raids, indictments and legislative resignations have to happen before the legislature gets a sense of urgency?

We need to stop corruption in Springfield. It is time to end the influence peddling culture that is paralyzing state government once and for all.

Governor, fellow legislators, the ball is squarely in your court. History will not be kind to the leaders who lacked the courage to finally bring accountability to state government.

State Rep. Allen Skillicorn is a Republican from East Dundee. He co-wrote this essay with fellow Republicans Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City, Brad Halbrook of Shelby County, Chris Miller of Oakland and Dan Caulkins of Decatur.