Stuart to Prioritize Ethics Reform, Education and First Responder Resources on House Committees

​COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will lead an effort for stronger ethical reforms in state government and prioritize health care, access to education, safer communities and resources for first responders as a member of several key House committees.

Stuart will serve as vice-chair of the new Ethics & Elections Committee, where she will work to advance lobbying reforms, stronger safeguards against conflicts of interest and greater transparency in government. She will also serve on key education panels as chair of the House Higher Education Committee and a member of the Appropriations-Higher Education Committee and Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee. Stuart will work with law enforcement officials and advocate for safer communities through expanded access to mental health on the Police & Fire Committee and Mental Health & Addiction Committee.

“These committees are where some of the most important work gets done on the issues that matter most to people in our communities,” Stuart said. “As I talk to residents, I frequently hear about the need to restore trust in state government, the need to work with police officers to keep our communities safe, and the need to help students and educators in challenging learning environments both during and after the pandemic. I look forward to getting to work on these issues.”

As a former middle school and high school teacher and instructor at SIUE, Stuart brings relevant experience to the House committees that work on education issues. Her other committee assignments are related to legislation Stuart has pushed, including ethics reforms like closing the revolving door for lobbyists, and measures to combat the opioid crisis.

House committees will begin meeting and voting remotely next week. More information about committees and the bills assigned to them can be found here, and a full list of legislation that Stuart is sponsoring is here. 

“I’m excited to begin the committee process and work with stakeholders, advocates and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle on the biggest issues that are impacting local families,” continued Stuart. “There’s a lot to talk about regarding education, ethics reform and other areas before bills can be moved to the House for full consideration, and I’m ready to get to work.”