East Central Reporter

In a May 25 Facebook post, Illinois state Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham) discussed the need to do more about ethics.

"We need more than just small steps to end corruption in Illinois," the legislator said in the post. "Our state requires a major ethics overhaul if we want to earn the trust of our residents."

The post also shared a link to a recent report from The Center Square focusing on the state's red-light camera industry and House Bill 3903.

"The measure will establish ethical parameters and guidelines for how the technology can be used and how the industry interacts with state and local elected officials," said Illinois state Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines), according to The Center Square report.

She noted that one regulation of the bill would forbid contractors for the technology from making political donations.

“It provides that no member of the General Assembly and no officer or employee of a municipality or county shall knowingly accept employment or receive compensation or fees for services from a contractor that provides automated enforcement system equipment,” Murphy said, quoted by The Center Square.

The Center Square report suggested that amendments to House Bill 3903 would be beneficial for the state.

The bill, which was originally filed on Feb. 17 by state Rep. William Davis (D-East Hazel Crest), moved to the Senate on March 23. It passed the Senate on May 19 and passed both Houses on May 25. The proposed legislation amends "the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Agriculture upon request (previously in cooperation) with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall provide consulting service and standards. Repeals the Displaced Homemakers Assistance Act, the Energy Policy and Planning Act, the Community Health Worker Advisory Board Act, the Electronic Health Records Taskforce Act, and the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers Act. Makes changes in various Acts in provisions concerning funds; mandates; reports; and task forces. Effective immediately."

Wilhour recently raised concerns about ethics in the state and what needed to happen during the final few days of session.

"We have four scheduled session days left before the House adjourns for the summer and a number of important issues that have yet to be addressed, including the ethics reform our state desperately needs to combat corruption!" he said in a May 16 May 16 Facebook post.

Wilhour is a lifelong Illinois resident, and he represents the people of the 110th District, his website biography said. He enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1999 during his junior year of high school. Wilhour served from 1999 to 2005 as an intelligence analyst and in 2002 was deployed to Europe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.