Pritzker Supports Ethics Reform, But Not On Account of Mapes
Governor JB Pritzker, speaking in Litchfield Monday, claimed to support further ethics reform in Springfield.
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After the perjury and obstruction of justice convictions last week of former Madigan Chief of Staff Tim Mapes, Republicans in the General Assembly nearly unanimously called for additional ethics reform.
“[The conviction] delivers another clear message to the General Assembly that reform is needed,” Senate GOP Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) said in a statement. “We must do more to empower local law enforcement officials with the same investigative tools that Federal Authorities possess, including wiretapping and grand jury authority.”
It turns out, they may have a partial ally, at least, in Governor JB Pritzker.
At an unrelated event in Litchfield Monday, Pritzker said he's open to further reform of state ethics laws.
“There’s always more that we should be doing. In fact, every year we should be looking at ethics reform and making changes and improvements.”
Pritzker called two previous pieces of ethics legislation he signed into law “pretty significant.”
But if Democrats do move on ethics reform, it won't be because of Mapes, who was convicted of crimes unrelated to corruption.
“I don’t think there’s anything indicated in the Mapes trial, in particular, that leads to action. But, certainly, everything that has led to what will be a Madigan trial and what has been already the ComEd Four trial has been indicators of things that oughta change.
Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) has been tasked with putting together an ethics package in the House. He said Tuesday conversations are ongoing and there is a target to have a package for vote during veto session in October or November.