Scandal Puts Focus On 'Toothless' Ethics Law
From the Associated Press
An investigation into House Speaker Michael Madigan's role in a Chicago-area transit agency scandal has renewed scrutiny of an ethics law deemed "toothless" by the Legislature's own ethics chief.
Madigan, a Chicago Democrat and arguably the most powerful politician in Springfield, has asked the Legislative Ethics Commission to review whether he violated any rules when he asked the Metra rail agency for a raise for an associate who had raised campaign money for him, and a separate accusation that he sought a job for another associate. He says he is confident he did nothing wrong.
The eight-member commission says it will take up the Madigan case. But it is working under a 1967 law that critics say is too vague on what constitutes a conflict of interest or other ethical violation, lacks sufficient penalties to enforce ethical behavior and in most cases prevents the commission from reporting its findings publicly.
Tom Homer, the state's legislative inspector general, brought the case to the commission and said Madigan would be treated like any other member being investigated. He said he would follow the leads "wherever they go."
At the same time, Homer is hoping the case brings more attention to his campaign to persuade lawmakers to strengthen the ethics law by publicizing investigations and allowing the censure and even suspension of lawmakers. In a report in 2011, he called the 46-year-old law "a toothless tiger."
"Actions that may be considered unethical often fall through the cracks," Homer, a former state representative and judge, told The Associated Press. "There's really no punishment specified."
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Associated Press
An investigation into House Speaker Michael Madigan's role in a Chicago-area transit agency scandal has renewed scrutiny of an ethics law deemed "toothless" by the Legislature's own ethics chief.
Madigan, a Chicago Democrat and arguably the most powerful politician in Springfield, has asked the Legislative Ethics Commission to review whether he violated any rules when he asked the Metra rail agency for a raise for an associate who had raised campaign money for him, and a separate accusation that he sought a job for another associate. He says he is confident he did nothing wrong.
The eight-member commission says it will take up the Madigan case. But it is working under a 1967 law that critics say is too vague on what constitutes a conflict of interest or other ethical violation, lacks sufficient penalties to enforce ethical behavior and in most cases prevents the commission from reporting its findings publicly.
Tom Homer, the state's legislative inspector general, brought the case to the commission and said Madigan would be treated like any other member being investigated. He said he would follow the leads "wherever they go."
At the same time, Homer is hoping the case brings more attention to his campaign to persuade lawmakers to strengthen the ethics law by publicizing investigations and allowing the censure and even suspension of lawmakers. In a report in 2011, he called the 46-year-old law "a toothless tiger."
"Actions that may be considered unethical often fall through the cracks," Homer, a former state representative and judge, told The Associated Press. "There's really no punishment specified."
Read more in our daily News Update...