East Central Reporter

State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) argues the time for action is now when it comes to ethics reform in Springfield.

“It’s just been another wasted day and we’re tired of that because we came here to do real work,” Wilhour said at a recent GOP press conference posted to YouTube where Republican lawmakers demanded action. “The state of Illinois has got real problems that are holding people back. The level of work on serious issues is completely embarrassing. There’s no sense of urgency on the things that everyone knows are important.”

With longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan having been pushed from power after nearly four decades, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are now calling for reforms they all agree are desperately needed.  At the time he stepped down, Madigan found himself at the center of a still- unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scandal. Soon after being voted out as Speaker, he stepped down from his 22nd House District seat.

Wilhour argues all of it suggests there is no time to waste when it comes to putting stronger ethical measures in place across Springfield.

“It seems like every other day we see more Democrats from Chicago being perp walked and there’s nothing done on ethics,” he added. “It’s been 577 days since Luis Arroyo was arrested and still we haven’t gained the courage to do something so simple as ban legislators from lobbying. Nothing on ethics reform, nothing that makes sure the legislative inspector general has real power to watch over this General Assembly.”

Wilhour adds voters have been clear about what they want to see.

“The voters have sent messages over and over that they expect us to restore credibility to this body,” he said. “If anybody needs it, it’s right here in Illinois. It’s time to get to the real work that is important to the people of Illinois.”