HIGHLAND, IL –State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) applauded the verdict on the high-profile federal court case against former longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Today, a jury found Madigan guilty of bribery conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud charges.
“This verdict should send a message to the leaders in our state that something has to change, and the pattern of corruption Illinois is plagued with can no longer be tolerated,” said Meier. “How many guilty verdicts is it going to take for Democrats to join Republicans and pass the tough, necessary, sweeping reforms to our ethics laws to clean up government and stamp out corruption for good? The time to act is now.”
Representative Meier called for ethics reform. House Republicans have put forward sweeping ethics reform legislation that would strengthen Illinois ethics laws. This legislation includes stopping public officials from using campaign funds for legal defense, suspending pensions from retired lawmakers that face corruption charges, stopping the ‘revolving door’ practice of one day being a Member of the General Assembly and the next day becoming a lobbyist, and more.
“I have not heard from a single Illinois resident who is satisfied with the current state of ethics in Illinois,” Meier continued. “We must do better, and House Republicans remain committed to putting forward legislation that will move this state forward.”
Currently, the Democratic Supermajority in the House has refused to hear any of the House Republicans’ legislation regarding ethics.
Former Speaker Madigan’s has not yet been sentenced for the crimes he has been convicted of.