From State Rep. Joe Sosnowki:
After Madigan guilty verdict, Rep. Sosnowski calls for Stronger Ethics Laws
ROCKFORD, Ill. – State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, expected the verdict in the high-profile federal court case against former longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan. Today, a jury found Madigan guilty on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud.
“Although Mike Madigan was found guilty on multiple counts, the culture of corruption in Illinois remains very much evident,” said Sosnowski. “This verdict should send a message to the leaders in our state that something has to change. The pattern of corruption eroding public confidence in Illinois and abusing taxpayers cannot be tolerated.”
Representative Sosnowski 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.
“Unless the General Assembly takes action to eradicate the practices that continue to allow the ‘Madigan Way’ to fester, unethical behavior will still be the norm in Illinois,” Sosnowski added. “Enough is enough! The people of Illinois deserve better.”
Currently, the Democratic Supermajority in the House has refused to allow committee hearings or a vote on any of the House Republicans’ ethics reform legislation.
Representative Sosnowski serves the 69th District which includes portions of Winnebago, Boone, and McHenry Counties
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From State Rep. Jeff Keicher:
Rep. Keicher: Madigan Verdict Reinforces Need for Ethics Reform
SYCAMORE, Ill. – State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) 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 on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud.
“Although Speaker Madigan was found guilty, much work remains to be done to end the culture of corruption in Illinois,” Rep. Keicher said. “Public trust in our state government has justifiably eroded with the string of legislators who have been indicted and convicted of corruption in recent years. Ethics reform is long overdue and the Madigan verdict should be the final impetus current lawmakers need to come together and finally make the changes most of us recognize are needed.”
As a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Legislative Ethics Commission since 2022, Rep. Keicher has consistently advocated for ethics reform. House Republicans have introduced sweeping ethics reform legislation that would strengthen state laws to root out corruption and close loopholes. These proposals include prohibiting public officials from using campaign funds for legal defense, suspending pensions of retired lawmakers charged with a felony, ending the ‘revolving door’ practice of lawmakers leaving office and immediately becoming a lobbyist, and more.
“Unless the General Assembly takes action to pass our reforms, unethical behavior will still be the norm in Illinois, with the ‘Madigan Way’ festering in the Capitol. No more excuses or delays. House Democrats need to work with us to turn the page on the Madigan era once and for all,” Keicher added.
Currently, the Democratic Supermajority in the House has refused to schedule a committee hearing or vote on any of the House Republicans’ ethics reform legislation.
