Moylan Pursuing Comprehensive Ethics Reform; Introduces New Legislation

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Determined to root out corruption in state government by passing widespread ethics reforms, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, recently introduced legislation to prohibit legislators from holding any gaming related financial interest.

“Allowing legislators to have a financial interest in the gaming industry presents the potential for corruption and conflicts of interest, which cannot be allowed whatsoever,” Moylan said. “In the last session we made some good initial steps toward comprehensive ethics reform, but there is plenty of work left to be done. We have to close loopholes like this one so we can restore faith in our government and ensure that the work we do is for the benefit of the people of Illinois, not ourselves.”

Moylan has made ethics reform one of his top priorities in the General Assembly and has personally introduced multiple ethics reform bills. The Moylan-introduced House Bill 3491 would prohibit any legislator from holding or receiving any income from gaming-related financial interests. Any legislator who holds a gaming-related financial interest would have to divest themselves from that interest as soon as practicable.

“It is obvious that if a legislator has a financial interest in gaming, that would give them personal incentive to vote a certain way,” Moylan said. “That is not how an ethical governing body should operate. We need to represent the people of Illinois as we were elected to do, and any action by a member of the General Assembly that prioritizes their own self-interest or personal profit must be banned immediately.”

For questions concerning House Bill 3491, state issues, other legislation or district matters, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.