As jury selection begins Thursday for ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s federal corruption trial, it seems an appropriate time to take stock of the status of political and ethics reform in Illinois.
Citizens still have little faith and confidence in state government. That’s why Illinois Republicans continue to work toward genuine and far-reaching ethics and campaign reform.
If there ever was a moment to change the “culture of corruption” in Illinois, it was in the last 18 months.
Shortly after Gov. Pat Quinn was sworn into office in 2009, he created the Illinois Reform Commission. Led by former federal prosecutor Patrick Collins, the commission was charged with developing a comprehensive agenda to boldly reform state government. In little more than 100 days, commission members offered up dozens of proposals that could serve as a blueprint to clean up politics and government in Illinois.
Unfortunately, the powerful forces of the status quo prevailed.
This has become the pattern of action by the governor and Democratic legislative leaders on ethics and political reform — enacting timid, half-hearted measures aimed at placating the public, but not bringing about true change.