Mussman Cracks Down On Corruption, Supports Ethics Reform Legislation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to growing concern regarding legislator and lobbyist ethics, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, supported legislation to fight corruption and increase state government transparency.

“As elected officials, it is our duty to serve our communities with integrity and honesty,” Mussman said. “This legislation is long overdue, and it’s time we crack down on unethical conflicts of interest. Corruption is unacceptable, and we must hold each other accountable in order to earn back residents’ trust.”

Mussman supported Senate Bill 1639, which takes the first step toward ethics and lobbying reform by requiring lobbyists to disclose which units of government they lobby, any elected or appointed positions they hold and any sub-lobbyists they contract to lobby on their behalf. In addition, the bill also requires the Secretary of State to create a publicly searchable database that would bring together information from lobbyist disclosures and campaign contributions, as well as statements of economic interests of state officials.

Mussman also backed House Joint Resolution 93 to create the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform, a bipartisan, bicameral task force that will lead the effort for further reform to the laws governing the activities of elected officials, state employees, and lobbyists. Both measures passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support.

“These measures are only the first steps toward real reform and ending corruption,” Mussman said.  “I am committed to continuing to work for a stronger and more transparent government for  Illinois residents, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make conscious improvements.”