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Pritzker promises “first step” next week on ethics reforms

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Illinois

As hundreds of people sipped cocktails and snacked on hors d’oeuvres at a Cook County Democratic fundraiser, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday night he was “disgusted” by Democrats caught up in sweeping federal investigations and proposed broadened lobbyist disclosure rules for legislators to consider in the final week of the fall veto session.

Pritzker said more robust lobbyist disclosure would be a first step that could be accomplished in the three-day legislative session next week, and that comprehensive ethics legislation must be on the agenda when the General Assembly starts a new spring session in January.

“I am furious watching public officials, some from our own party, betray the public trust. I am disgusted that some people seem to think the old way of doing politics is the right way of doing politics. It is time to change the way politics is done in this state — period,” Pritzker said. […]

Pritzker’s remarks were ignored by many attendees who chatted to themselves throughout his address in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Chicago in the South Loop.

* Sun-Times…

Vowing to help lift the cloud of pay-to-play politics over Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday told Cook County Democrats that he plans to return to Springfield next week to help craft legislation that would shed more light on lobbyists as the first in “a series of ethics reforms that are frankly long overdue.” […]

Pritzker did not elaborate about his ethics proposal. And the governor’s office declined to provide any additional details.

“As a first step on much-needed ethics reform, Governor Pritzker is committed to passing legislation in next week’s veto session to shine a brighter light on lobbyist activity so there is far more transparency for the public,” Emily Bittner, the governor’s deputy chief of staff for communications, said in a statement. “He also believes that there must be more broad, comprehensive ethics reforms in the next legislative session, and he plans to work with stakeholders on meaningful reforms.”

Pritzker has increasingly ramped up his rhetorical outrage as the federal investigations dominate the headlines.

Subscribers know a bit more.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:35 am

Comments

“I am furious watching public officials, some from our own party, betray the public trust.

Some? Shouldn’t it be most or maybe all?

Who are the Illinois Republicans who have been raided by the FBI?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:40 am
“Pritzker’s remarks were ignored by many attendees who chatted to themselves throughout his address…”
They will be ignored in Springfield too.

Comment by Nina Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:41 am
“Pritzker’s remarks were ignored by many attendees”

Comment by Unpopular Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:41 am
Weak sauce. Disclosures didn’t stop Arroyo, and I doubt it would stop others. Plus, if they pass the disclosures, the GA may say during session, look we passed the reforms already. It might be better to save the political capital for next session.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:43 am
First, the City of Chicago Board of Ethics website is terrible and hard to navigate (sometimes I wonder if this is by design)

Second, the new ethics law should require “consultants” to disclose clients even if they are not “lobbying” elected officials or staff. I think a lot of people are paid to “provide lobby strategy advice” and no one knows who they are, who they are close to or what they are paid.

Comment by Anon 9:43 Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:44 am
Cook county a great venue to propose ethics reform. Make sure to work with Mayor Lightfoot and peel the corruption onion back to aldermanic prerogative. No reason whatsoever to allow pols to have control over licensing, permitting, zoning…..

Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:44 am
This seems to match JB’s MO so far: he wants to check boxes (if to varying degrees of success/size). Ethics, pensions, graduated income taxes, minimum wage, RHA, University and MAP funding, JB wants to be able to say he at least took a shot at each issue facing Illinois in year 1.

Comment by DarkDante Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:48 am
There is no nexus between income disclosure and adherence to laws that ban pay-to-play. The GA just passed a law banning prospective employers from asking about an applicant’s income, but now this? Let’s work on solutions that address the underlying problem, not knee-jerk window dressing.

Comment by factchecker Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:50 am
Anti-abuse advocate, NY ethics body spar over billboards

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Kat Sullivan wanted to get the attention of New York state officials when she took out ads on billboards criticizing the state’s molestation laws.

What she didn’t expect was the scrutiny of state ethics officials. They concluded the billboards amounted to lobbying and threatened Sullivan with fines if she refused to pay a state lobbyist registration fee of $200.

On Tuesday Sullivan’s attorney went before the Joint Commission on Public Ethics to demand that it drop the case against Sullivan since she didn’t spend enough on the billboards to even qualify as a lobbyist under state law. Sullivan said she is being harassed simply for speaking her mind.

https://apnews.com/82c25bb037834fafb43d64cee4e3d73b

Comment by Unintended Consequences Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:55 am
Good. People work hard on issues and for positive change. When their elected leaders break the law, it defeats the purpose of that hard work. Whoever wants to serve themselves in unethical and lawbreaking political activities should not be in elected office.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:56 am
The Governor could back up his words by starting in an area under his direct control: shining more light on rationale for employing specific outside lobbyists by State Agencies.

Comment by Grandpa2 Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:58 am
I completely agree with Anon, the City Board of Ethics is awful, the state’s is much more user friendly.

What is quite concerning is that the state will now try to “over-correct” which will mean a lot of window dressing BS rules so elected officials can say they addressed the problem. What it normally means is that those who follow the rules will be saddled with more tedious paperwork, while those who are gaming the system now will continue to do so in the future.

Comment by DJ@heart Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 9:58 am
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Comment by Just Sayin' Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:05 am
How about, elected officials are prohibited from lobbying any government body on behalf of any private client. Period.
Require that lobbyists at any level of government are required to disclose to a state wide entity, who they are hired by, what issues they are advocating, what their total and project specific compensation is for their advocacy work, and a full accounting of each contact with a governmental entity or elected official on the issue including date, time, and location of the contact.
Require entities which are hiring lobbyist register primary information including their top 5 revenue sources and how much they received from each source.
Elected officials who are representing clients in other capacities which may be similar to lobbying (ie. lawyers, accountants), would be required to disclose their clients and what venue they are providing representation.

Comment by Unionman Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:11 am
If only someone could have warned us about the corruption when Members of the General Assembly are involved in lobbying local government. Who knew this was a problem? I sure didn’t. I’m flabbergasted. I’m sure the Speaker will pass such a ban next week.

Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:16 am
There is a simple law that can be passed outlawing paid lobbying by elected officials in the state of Illinois. Just make sure that the law is not crafted by lobbyists.

Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:20 am
My advice to elected officials? Pick a lane. If you want to represent clients as a lobbyist, quit (or don’t run for) elected office. If you want to be a representative of the people, don’t become a paid lobbyist. It’s that simple.

Comment by Anon 10:24 Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:24 am
There is great focus on this site and in the news, as there should be, on lobbyists, revolving doors and their money. But there is also an old saying that applies here as well. “It takes two to tango.” As long as too many politely continue to pretend that there are only a few bad seed legislators to root out and retrain- just a small number of rogue pols who are willing to ignore the basic rules of ethics and public service- this sickening culture of costly corruption in IL politics will not be solved.

This is an opportunity for JB to be an influential and even great governor. But words alone are not enough. He needs to step up now.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:24 am
=But there is also an old saying that applies here as well. “It takes two to tango.”=

This is a good point. There is (and probably always has been) a culture of “win at all costs”. Maybe because the stakes are so high in the law making process where there are winners and losers associated with (almost) every piece of legislation.

This is why entities push the line ethically and agree to hire those that they probably shouldn’t have.

Comment by Anon 10:24 Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:31 am
Responses - agree. Great point

Comment by ike Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:34 am
As a first step Cullerton, Sandoval, Arroyo, Link

Comment by Just Said Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:34 am
Another thing would be prohibit registered lobbyists from running for office for a period of one year since last lobbying and from lobbying for a period of one year after leaving office.

Also include all government employees in a one year revolving door lobbying ban.

Comment by Unionman Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:35 am
=== Who are the Illinois Republicans who have been raided by the FBI?===

This is 1,000%, exactly why… why I stay away from commenting on these issues where the blinded partisan will immediately bring party into thoughts, and not embrace the resolve we ALL need to make things better… for EVERYONE.

But I am going to comment with this;

It’s terribly important for this state and the people here that the leaders of this state need to hold accountable each other, the voters, themselves.

If the goal here with partisan comments is to feel good about yourself and your partisan thoughts, I hope you find that peace, and you feel… good.

Just note that you’re not solving things, not caring about a better state, not embracing that changes need to be made for a better tomorrow.

I’ll leave my judgement until the bipartisanship finally overshadows the partisan glee of those willing to use fighting corruption as a wedge, not a bridge.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:36 am
== First, the City of Chicago Board of Ethics website is terrible and hard to navigate (sometimes I wonder if this is by design)==

The city’s reporting system is the bane of my existence. Truly appears to have been designed by a novice developer circa 2001.

Comment by OK, boomer Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:41 am
How about we enforce the laws we currently have rather than a broad brush that will impact 99% of people who do it the right way? Are there going to be more forms disclosing outside income and more online ethics trainings that are inane and do absolutely nothing in the end?

Comment by Low level Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:46 am
=Who are the Illinois Republicans who have been raided by the FBI?=

Dennis Hastert comes to mind. Child molester too.

George Ryan had some issues. Did some time.

There are more. Nobody is pure.

Donald Trump is laboring under a cloud of treason.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:54 am
As a Republican or maybe just a Rhino I did notice J.B. statement about some in his party being corrupt. I would just point out no a Republicans raised not because of honesty but because of lack of power and ability to sell anything. I believe we had or own Governor go away. And I guess that long sentence Blago got really really deterred corruption

Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 10:54 am
Won’t it be fun if Trump commutes Blago’s sentence?

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 11:32 am
==Won’t it be fun if Trump commutes Blago’s sentence?==

Especially if Blago and family never registered as a lobbyist before communicating with Trump.

Comment by Funsville Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 11:37 am
Is ‘ethics reform’ kinda like waste,fraud,abuse? Easy to talk about , hard to implement.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 11:37 am
What would you call this “arrangement”?

https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-lori-lightfoot-administration-consultants-20190715-ph74stwvirf47cyw472pc22e6i-story.html

But a key adviser to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who served as her transition team’s manager, has continued working in the former federal prosecutor’s administration despite living in Wilmette. Lisa Schneider-Fabes, who’s also president of the District 39 school board in Wilmette, has moved into a senior advisory role in the new mayor’s office while living in the tony North Shore suburb, the administration has confirmed.

The mayor’s office says Schneider-Fabes is not required to live within the city’s borders because she is considered a volunteer. But while she doesn’t work directly for the city, she is a top executive at a quasi-government organization that Lightfoot controls.

On the day Lightfoot was sworn in as mayor, Schneider-Fabes was hired by World Business Chicago, the public-private nonprofit agency run by the mayor that receives a mix of city tax money and private funding to push for economic development and promote Chicago as a global city, Lightfoot spokeswoman Anel Ruiz said.

Comment by Reform Minded Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 11:48 am
Not sure if JB Pritzker is the best voice for any ethics reform. If memory serves me, isn’t he the man who got a potentially illegal 300,000 property tax reduction on one of his mansions?

Comment by Iliad and the Odyssey Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:05 pm
Regarding anyone complaining about the toilet thing (which, to be sure, I think he should be penalized for):

Are you similarly calling out Trump for his tax-related shenanigans? Or are you steadfastly holding to a “we don’t know that he did anything wrong” standard for him, despite all the indications to the contrary.

Comment by Chris Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:31 pm
He is going to have issues within his own agencies soon too if he doesn’t rid the Rauner managers who are still currently in many smaller agencies.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:37 pm
Say want you want about Rauner, but the kind of petty and grand larceny you see going on in municipal and state government genuinely outraged him. Compared to Quinn and Pritzker, who turn a blind eye to it and only express disapproval in the worst cases.
If Pritzker really meant business on rooting out corrupt actors he would say no campaign money to either caucus or the county chairmen until Sandoval and Link resign and he gets to select their successors through an open search.

Comment by Widge Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:49 pm
===genuinely outraged him===

He was outraged all the time about everything.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:52 pm
=== Say want you want about Rauner===

Like clouting his denied, Winnetka-living daughter into Payton Prep, denying a worthy Chicago student a chance to go to Payton Prep.

Yeah. There’s lots to say.

The need for oversight in governing and the idea of access, corruption, even impropriety crosses all areas, including economic access via wealth, or political access brought on by lineage.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 12:55 pm
=== Say want you want about Rauner ===

Quincy. Veterans. Home.

I know that all of Rauner’s supposed rage over alleged government malfeasance was a phony sham.

How do I know?

Quincy. Veterans. Home.

Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:09 pm
I have to give a huge shout-out to Anon 9:43, DJ@heart, and OK, Boomer for pointing out how awful the City of Chicago’s Bd of Ethics website is and how impossible it is to navigate.

Rich, I would love if you could do a thread devoted to this issue and highlight how the Chicago Board of Ethics website is kryptonite to transparency.

Comment by Roger Abbott Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 1:11 pm
Yes, take significant and dramatic action. But it doesn’t have to be some slapdash reaction next week, impacting a small part of the problem.

Put comprehensive anti-corruption action high on the priority list, after careful review and analysis, for early net year.
We overreacted immediately post-Blago, and passed some rules changes that made government even less effective, while fixing few of the core causes of corruption.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:24 pm
The fact that everyone at the reception ignored his comments says a lot about how worthless any new legislation would be on this matter. It will be a waste of time and largely for show for the public. I don’t know if you can stop it. A line from the movie Shooter says it all. Greed is a basic human weakness and you can’t kill that with a gun. Or with new laws that will be ignored. Just sayin.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 2:35 pm
–The fact that everyone at the reception ignored his comments says a lot about how worthless any new legislation would be on this matter. —

Well, it says something, but I’m not sure that’s what it said.

Call me an optimist, an eternal naive, but I think JB is made of sterner and more ethical stuff than most of the commenters above appear to believe.

Somebody has to clean out the Augean stables of Illinois politics, after all. It’s probably not the job he thought he’d be undertaking, but I think he’s up to the Herculean task.

He himself is not corrupt (okay, the toilet thing nada nada - but that, after all, was legal though yucky), and he doesn’t give off any vibe of being afraid of anyone.

Just my two cents, time will tell.

Comment by dbk Wednesday, Nov 6, 19 @ 6:40 pm