Manley-Supported Ethics Reform Package Signed into Law, Continues Efforts to Combat Corruption

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – To ensure that state government is working solely on behalf of taxpayers, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, helped passed comprehensive ethics reform legislation aimed at stopping corruption in Springfield.

“After facing unprecedented challenges over the past year and a half, it is more important than ever that elected officials are working solely on improving the lives of those they serve,” said Manley. “State government must be fully committed to using all available resources on supporting small businesses, working families, and those who need it most.”

In order to place greater restrictions on elected officials and increase transparency and oversight, Manley voted in favor of Senate Bill 539, which passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law recently. The bill ends a number of unethical practices from politicians, including banning elected officials from becoming lobbyists in less than six months after leaving office, closing a loophole that allows legislators to take a full-month’s salary for less than a full month of work and banning political fundraisers on legislative session days. The bill also strengthens the Inspector General’s investigative powers.

Since entering the General Assembly, Manley has worked to crack down on corruption in state government. Last session, she supported legislation requiring additional transparency from lobbyists. She also helped create the Ethics and Lobbying Reform, which closely examines state ethics and lobbying laws and makes concrete recommendations to reform current laws.

“Our constituents send us to Springfield to work on the many issues that are facing our state, not to improve our own financial situation,” said Manley. “Everyone deserves to have representatives who are committed to addressing their needs, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen our ethics laws to ensure that elected officials are working in the best interests of those they represent.”