Will County Gazette

For veteran state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena), a package of ethics reform proposals now being promoted by Democrats in Springfield come with a familiar ring.

“These are all Republican ideas that we’ve been proposing for years now,” McDermed told the Will County Gazette. “Maybe they're finally taking our suggestions seriously, now we can see if we can get them enacted as they should have been about 10 years ago.”

With longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) now embroiled in a still developing federal corruption probe involving utility giant ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme, some Democrat lawmakers are pushing an array of reform measures they tout as ways to change the culture in Springfield. Topping the list of proposals are measures that would ban legislators from becoming lobbyists, require greater financial disclosures, establish a censure process, make the legislative inspector general more independent, and institute term limits.

McDermed stresses the proposals are just a start in what could be a lengthy process.

“We have to meet in session before we can do anything,” she said. “It’s a good agenda, measures I’ve signed on to support before. Certainly, it’s time for these kinds of reforms, but rather or not we’ll see them happen is another story.”

As for Madigan, McDermed said she’s been calling for his resignation for what seems like forever and is starting to wonder if she’ll ever get to see her wish.

“With the investigation he’s a part of, I think he thinks his biggest bargaining chip with the feds is his speakership, and knowing him he’s not about to just give that up easily,” she said.

McDermed said she has serious reservations about the level of change needed in Springfield ever being able to arrive as long as Madigan is still in command.

“I think whole pay for play culture that has enveloped this state has to change and that can only happen with new leadership,” she said. “As long as people believe getting elected gives them the authority to line their own pockets the culture will continue to be what it has been.”