Metro East Sun

If former House candidate Mike Babcock (R-Bethalto) had his way, the so-called 'revolving-door ban' that would require state lawmakers to wait at least two years before becoming a lobbyist would make them wait even longer.

“I think it should be five years,” Babcock told the Metro East Sun. “This is the way that we start to protect taxpayers in this state. I don’t think it’s good for state lawmakers to turn around and end up being lobbyists right off the bat. I don’t think it’s beneficial to taxpayers. There are too many connections, too many things they may have been working on that might blur the line.”

As it is, Illinois is one of the few states that allow lawmakers or state agency chiefs to begin working as lobbyists the day after they leave office. But Senate Bill 2314, introduced by state Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), would put a two-year ban in place. 

Illinois state Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo)

The bill has garnered the bipartisan support of Sens. Suzy Glowiak-Hilton (D-Western Springs), Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) and Scott Bennett (D-Champaign), all of whom are serving as co-sponsors.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Babcock said. “The whole point of waiting two years and putting in place legislation like this is to help erase even the scent of corruption.”

With Illinois already being called the second most corrupt sate in the U.S. by a recent University of Illinois at Chicago study, the proposal comes as three Democratic lawmakers are facing indictment on federal corruption charges.