Kelly Underscores Need to Strengthen State Ethics

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In the wake of high-profile cases of corruption in Illinois, state Rep. Michael Kelly, D-Chicago, is emphasizing the need to reinforce state ethical guidelines and support for a strong legislative inspector general who can hold lawmakers accountable.

“The residents of our state deserve representation that looks out for families, not self-interest,” Kelly said. “Too often in recent years, public servants have violated their oath and broken the trust our institutions need to work properly. It’s clear that we have more work to do, which is why I’m glad that one of my first votes was to help appoint a new legislative inspector general who will help bring integrity and accountability to our ethics system.”

Recently, Kelly supported the bipartisan confirmation of former federal judge Michael McCuskey as the state’s new legislative inspector general. Taking over a position that had been vacant for months, McCuskey is tasked with reviewing allegations of sexual misconduct, corruption and other possible ethics violations by members of the General Assembly and related staffs

Kelly has also staked his ethical priorities by sponsoring legislation that increases government transparency, funds oversight and eliminates lucrative lobbying loopholes for lawmakers. House Bill 4028, which was incorporated into a larger ethics package passed into law, prohibits General Assembly members from lobbying local governments for pay. Kelly also sponsored House Bill 4005, which updates Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws to require public bodies to take all reasonable steps possible to provide requested material in a readable format for the requester.

“State ethics, unfortunately, is a topic we must always be vigilant on,” Kelly said. “It’s important that we are supporting our oversight systems, and ensuring that every public servant understands that there will be accountability.”