Over fifty years ago, scandal-plagued Illinois decided that those convicted of felonies connected to their pubic service.

Oh, there have been games played to allow corrupt public officials to keep their pensions by charging them instead with non-official crimes (see what Jim Ryan did right before he went out of office as Attorney General here), but the law probably has been something of a deterrent.  And, if not sufficient of a deterrent, certainly a real punishment.

Congressmen who fall afoul of the criminal statutes lose their pensions, too.

But only while they are in prison.

So, Congressman Dan Rostenkowski was denied his pension while behind bars, but it was reinstated when he got out.

Now, according to this press release from Congressman Peter Roskam, the U.S. House of Representatives has included language in something called “The STOCK Act.”

Roskam’s media person Brooke Sammon explains the intent of the legislation like this:

“It’s a bipartisan bill to prevent members of Congress, federal officials, and their staff from using non-public information for financial gain, so basically against insider trading.”

But, included in the bill is an idea long advanced by Congressman, now, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk: Those public officials convicted of criminal behavior should not get pensions.

With sympathy for Kirk high across party lines, I think his campaign to give the same punishment to Congressional crooks that Illinois has given to legislative and gubernatorial crooks might even pass.

Now, that’s real reform.

Congressman Roskam’s press release follows:

Roskam Statement on Passage of STOCK Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) issued the following statement after the House passage of the STOCK Act:

“It’s imperative that Americans trust and have faith in their elected officials.

“Constituents deserve the right to know that their elected representatives live by the same rules they do.

“I applaud the House for passing the STOCK [Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act] Act. The House version is a much more responsible path forward than the Senate’s, holding the Administration accountable to the same reporting requirements as Congress.

“It also includes Illinois Congressman [Bruce] Dold’s valuable provision that no Member of Congress convicted of a crime receives a taxpayer-funded pension afterwards.”

As I write this, Congressman Randy Hultgren has weighed in with this press release:

Hultgren Statement On House Passage Of STOCK Act

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement after voting for S. 2038, the Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act.

“Today, I was pleased to support a bill strengthening the existing prohibition on insider trading by members of Congress and their staffs,” said Hultgren. “Moreover, by barring members from receiving preferential treatment in Initial Public Offerings, what we passed today is stronger than the legislation the Senate recently passed.”

“I’m also pleased that the STOCK Act bars Members of Congress who commit a felony from receiving a taxpayer-funded pension. This commonsense provision is based on legislation introduced by my friends, Senator Mark Kirk and Congressman Robert Dold, which I was proud to support. This bill is strong and workable, and I hope that the Senate passes it immediately.”

The STOCK Act passed by a bipartisan vote of 417-2.

Rep. Walsh Says No to Corruption

Votes in favor of the STOCK Act

WASHINGTON– Congressman Joe Walsh (IL-8) released the following statement after he voted to halt corruption in Congress and stop Members from using their elective office to benefit financially. The STOCK Act passed today with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“Members of Congress, should not get any special privileges.

“They should be held to the same standard as every other American.

“That is why I have turned down the taxpayer-funded, gold-card health care plan and pension afforded to Members of Congress.

“Likewise, under no circumstances should Members of Congress be allowed to use insider information to profit on the stock market.

“As one of Congress’ poorest Members, I of course don’t have enough money to invest, but if I did I would want to be held to the highest rules and standards.

“We should not be held to anything less or awarded any ‘breaks’ that set us apart from the American people we were elected to represent.”

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If more reaction comes, I’ll put in this article.