Will County Gazette

With a couple of state legislators facing criminal allegations, State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s request that they resign doesn’t go far enough to restore integrity in office.

“Calls for resignations are not nearly enough to end the culture of corruption that has plagued Illinois for decades,” Batinick said on Facebook. “If Democrats were truly serious about earning the trust of Illinoisans, they would have worked with us to pass robust ethics reform years ago.” 

His comments came in light of allegations against State Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) and State Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park) .

"Integrity is essential to public service, and corruption for personal gain and abuse in private or public is unacceptable,” Pritzker said in a release. “Illinoisans deserve to have elected leaders who are focused on representing them - not on holding office when facing serious and credible charges.” 

Jones III is facing federal bribery charges over allegedly lying to the FBI about protecting red-light camera company SafeSpeed LLC, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. 

Jones III has served in the Legislature since 2009, the report said. His father, Emil Jones Jr., was formerly the Illinois Senate President. “Everyone knows he is an honest, hardworking legislator,” Jones Jr. said of his son. “I intend to fight with him and stand alongside him throughout this process.” 

Jones III has been asked to resign from his leadership roles in the Legislature by Senate President Don Harmon.

“These are grave allegations. Members of the Senate and all public officials need to hold themselves to a high ethical standard for the public to have trust and faith in our work,” Harmon told the Sun-Times.

Jones III has since stepped down from his role as Deputy Majority Leader, WIFR reported. 

Hastings is facing allegations of domestic abuse from his estranged wife, as well as accusations of harassment from his former chief of staff, WIFR reported. Hastings stepped down from his position as Senate Democratic Majority Whip in mid-August. 

"Sen. Jones is accused of accepting bribes. And Sen. Hastings is accused of abusing women,” Pritzker said in his release. “They should answer the charges and have their day in court. But in the best interests of their constituents, these men must resign from their offices. Resigning only their leadership roles falls short of what the public should expect. I want to send a clear message to the people of Illinois: corruption and abuse have no place here."