East Central Reporter

Illinois State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is pushing a bill that he hopes will do away with an old flaw in local government policy.

With greater "accountability and functionality" being his primary aims, Halbrook's HB 3137 will prevent mayors or village presidents from appointing themselves to other paid board or commission positions that they already have power over in the form of being able to make appointments.

“This is a good government initiative," Halbrook said in a blog posted to his website. “Current law allows mayors and village presidents to appoint themselves to outside paid positions. That’s simply an open invitation to take advantage of the system for personal financial gain. My legislation closes that loophole.”

Illinois State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville)

By unanimous vote, the House recently passed HB 3141, which Halbrook also recently proposed for the purpose of establishing guidelines that allow a township board to temporarily appoint a “deputy” township official when the situation dictates such immediate action.

“Here in our district we recently had a Township Supervisor resign unexpectedly,” he said. “That’s a position that’s absolutely vital to day-to-day township operations and can’t remain vacant until the next election. My legislation allows for the appointment of a temporary deputy to step in to keep township operations moving along smoothly.”

Both measures have now been passed to the Senate for further consideration.