Pritzker Uses Amendatory Veto on Ethics Bill, Doesn't Make Any Substantive Changes
Former Sen. Terry Link, who resigned after a federal indictment and allegations he took bribes, speaks alongside Governor JB Pritzker in 2019. Pritzker used his amendatory veto power on an ethics bill passed by the legislature in May, but didn’t make any substantive changes. (Photo: Lake County News-Sun)
Governor JB Pritzker has used his Amendatory Veto powers on an ethics bill criticized as “toothless,” but Pritzker isn’t making any significant changes to the legislation.
Pritzker’s office announced Friday afternoon he used the AV to “correct a technical drafting error.”
His action did not correct any of the controversial parts of the legislation, including loopholes in a revolving door lobbying ban or accusations that the bill “ties the hands” of the legislative watchdog, the Legislative Inspector General.
The legislation drove Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope to resign.
“I thought I might be able to make a difference working from the inside,” Pope wrote to members of the Legislative Ethics Commission, an eight-member panel that oversees her office. “I thought I could be useful in improving the public’s view of the legislature and help bring about true ethics reform. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so. This last legislative session has demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority.”
The office “has no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations,” she added.
Democrats defended the legislation.
"This measure offers bipartisan solutions to target some of the worst abuses of power in our state's history," said State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights). "Our plan closes many of the loopholes that have allowed bad actors to game the system for decades. Our bipartisan team on the Senate Ethics Committee stands ready to continue this vital work to make our government work for everyone, not just a powerful few.”
Most Republicans voted for the legislation, but many were critical of the perceived lack of progress in the legislation.
Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) says Pope’s resignation is a sign the bill won't restore trust in government.
“We just had another Legislative Inspector General resign, citing the continued refusal of legislative leaders to empower that position to actually be able do their job,” Barickman said. “This legislation has some changes that are all steps in the right direction, but nothing that will truly move the needle in terms of ending the broken status quo, and restoring trust in Illinois government.”
