SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A series of ethics reforms made it through the Illinois House and Senate in the final hours of the spring legislative session that ended Monday night.
The measure bans political fundraisers on session days and prohibits lawmakers from taking a lobbying job for six months after they leave office.
The ethics reforms bill was sponsored by Senator Ann Gillespie.
“This bill is not the final end of anything we’ll ever do on ethics, but it’s a good, solid step forward,” Gillespie said.
The ethics reforms bill also prohibits Illinois lawmakers from lobbying other units of government and pro-rates the salary of a legislator stepping down before their term ends.
Currently, a member is paid for the full month even if they work just a few days.
Senator John Curran spoke in favor of the bill.
“This is a significant piece of legislation. As, there has been issues that have come to attention over the years, that this bill takes steps to address,” Curran said.
Some argue the reforms don’t go far enough and urge that discussions on the matter continue.
The bill now goes to Gov. J-B Pritzker for approval.
