For Immediate Release
October 28th, 2019
Contact:
Debbie Kraulidis
(815) 254-0000
Batinick Renews Call for Tougher Ethics Laws
SPRINGFIELD—Today State Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) joined colleagues at a press conference in the State Capitol to stress the need for stronger ethics laws in Illinois government.
The press conference took place on the first day of veto session in the General Assembly, and on the heels of another federal indictment of an elected official. State Senator Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) is the most recent lawmaker to be charged with public corruption in the seemingly ongoing federal investigation into state government.
“With today’s news of yet another self-serving elected official, it is clear that we cannot continue on this path,” said Batinick. The Representative is the chief co-sponsor of legislation that would create a State Ethics Task Force to address corruption within Illinois government. House Joint Resolution 87 was filed last week in the House of Representatives and would create the nine-member task force to recommend legislative changes to Illinois’ current ethics laws.
Rep. Batinick is hopeful that the State Ethics Task Force can clean up state government. “The ongoing investigations continue to deepen the breach of public trust,” Batinick continued. “This task force will be the turning point we need to earn back that trust. As lawmakers we are here working for the people of Illinois. To that end, we need to strengthen our procedures and make our governing process as a whole, better for all Illinoisans.”
The task force would include one member from the Governor’s staff or the Lt. Governor, along with two legislative members appointed by each of the four caucus leaders. Once formed, the task force must accomplish its work in ninety days, with findings and a final report recommending legislative changes to the Governor and General Assembly.
HJR87 has bipartisan support, and was assigned to the Executive Committee in the House of Representative today.
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Colleen King | Communications Analyst
Illinois General Assembly | Office of the House Republican Leader
Work (312) 814-4898 Cell (630) 303-3611
Email cking@hrs.ilga.gov | Find us everywhere at ilhousegop.org<http://ilhousegop.org/>
