Metro East Sun

State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and 11 other Republican senators are calling for "commonsense ethics reform" through recently introduced legislation.

"I also agree that something must be done to ensure that we have a corruption-free and ethical state government. A government that our citizens can trust," Bryant said during a Jan. 27 press conference. "Because of this belief I'm here in support of our caucus ethics reform package which comes in the form of Senate Bill 3636."

The legislation includes a number of changes specifically dealing with lawmakers and lobbyists that both watchdog groups and lawmakers themselves have wanted put in place for years.

"Our legislation addresses the shortcomings that have plagued Illinois for far too long," Bryant said. 

Under the bill, current legislators and their family members would be banned from working as lobbyists. It would also prohibit former lawmakers from taking a job as one within the year after leaving office. The legislation would also make it illegal for current lawmakers to negotiate future employment with a lobbying firm while serving in the General Assembly.

"Our constituents expect us to be held to high ethical standards. They must know that we are adhering to both the letter and the spirit of the law so that they can be confident their representatives are representing them, and not special interests," Bryant said. "To regain the trust of the people of our state, we must close the loopholes that lawmakers have used and abused over the years."

A dozen Republican senators have signed onto co-sponsor the bill which was filed on Jan. 19.

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, if the legislation should pass both chambers and be signed into law it would take effect immediately. 

It currently resides within the Senate Assignments Committee.