SPRINGFIELD (ILLINOIS CAPITOL BUREAU) -- Members of the Illinois House Republican Caucus are demanding Gov. JB Pritzker call for a special session to address ethics reform. They say the culture of corruption under House Speaker Mike Madigan must come to an end following the deferred prosecution agreement announced last week for ComEd. Madigan was implicated throughout the U.S. Attorney's report about job and contract arrangements for "Public Official A." The Republican lawmakers want their Democratic colleagues to join them in addressing corruption within state politics.
"Our caucus uniformly condemns this," said Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst). "It's hurting the people of our state. It is flat wrong."
Mazzochi says the silence from most Democrats is condoning the "worst kind of government graft and abuse." The Republicans also highlighted a portion of Pritzker's State of the State Address this year addressing the need for ethics reform.
"It's no longer enough to sit idle while under-the-table deals, extortion, or bribery persist," Pritzker said on January 29. "Protecting that culture or tolerating it is no longer acceptable."
During the speech, the governor said urgent action was needed to restore the public's trust in government. Six months later, lawmakers want Pritzker to keep his word.
"Governor, step up. Lead on this issue," said Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville). "Call a special session."
Wehrli is one of several Republican members of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying, which hasn't met in months. Members still haven't submitted a final report with their suggestions for the General Assembly.
"We should have a higher standard," Wehrli added. "We should have the trust of the people behind us, and clearly the Speaker - outside of his district - does not have public trust."
Senate GOP: "He should step aside"
Meanwhile, their colleagues in the Senate Republican Caucus released a statement Tuesday morning demanding change. “Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan exerts absolute control over what issues get a hearing and which get a vote in the Illinois House. As the U.S. Attorney announced last week, that process allegedly comes with a price," the caucus stated.
The senators feel Democrats should embrace reforms to ensure legislative power won't be "consolidated into the hands of one allegedly corrupt process." Caucus members explained transparency and a fair redistricting process will help. Yet, they're asking for a much larger change.
"What is abundantly clear to our caucus and every concerned citizen in Illinois is the fact that Michael Madigan can no longer serve as Speaker of the Illinois House, and he should step aside from this leadership position immediately.�
Senate President Don Harmon's Spokesman John Patterson says the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying "was making progress prior to the pandemic and we look forward to finding ways to get back on track."
As for now, the House GOP Caucus posted an  demanding Gov. JB Pritzker call for the special session if Democratic leaders don't agree.
