Nichols-Supported Legislation Cracking Down on Corruption Signed into Law

CHICAGO – As part of his efforts to ensure that state government is prioritizing working families, state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, helped pass a comprehensive ethics bill that was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week.

“With many residents struggling due to the challenges of the past year, it is more important than ever that we are ensuring that state government is putting all of its resources toward helping people,” said Nichols. “Corruption takes resources away from those who need it and damages Illinoisans’ faith in their government. It is critical that we are strengthening our laws to make it clear that unethical behavior will not be tolerated in government.”

Nichols voted in favor of Senate Bill 539, which passed with bipartisan support. The measure puts in place various restrictions on elected officials, including creating a six month “revolving door” prohibition on former lawmakers-turned-lobbyists, making legislator salary pro-rated to ensure they are not receiving a full-month salary for less than a full-month’s work and banning political fundraisers on legislative session days. The bill also strengthens the Inspector General’s investigative powers and requires additional transparency from lobbyists.

“There is nothing more important than helping residents and small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nichols. “We need to do everything in our power to ensure that tax dollars are appropriately going toward the issues that matter most. I look forward to continuing to work to make Illinois government work for the people, not politicians and political insiders.”