Illinois Valley Times

Veteran state Rep. Sue Rezin (R-Elmhurst) has no problem welcoming Democrats to the party, she just doesn’t expect much to come from the moment.

“It’s good that they’re at least now willing to talk about ethics reform, but the reality is as long as Mike Madigan is in charge nothing will come of it,” Rezin told the Illinois Valley Times. “All you have to do is look at the last 10 or even 20 years. Over that time, Speaker Madigan has clearly demonstrated that he will not allow meaningful changes that would put this state on the right path.

With Madigan (D-Chicago) now embroiled in a still developing federal corruption probe involving utility giant ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme, some Democrat lawmakers are pushing an array of reform measures they tout as ways to change the culture in Springfield. Topping the list of proposals are measures that would ban legislators from becoming lobbyists, require greater financial disclosures, establish a censure process, make the legislative inspector general more independent, and institute term limits.

“This is a step in the right direction, but you have to ask yourself why now given Republicans have been requesting these kinds of reforms year after year," Rezin said. "It’s going to take more than just Democrats all of a sudden talking about it to make any of this happen.”

Rezin has serious reservations it can ever be as long as Madigan is still in control.

“Putting this state back on the right path and headed in the direction of real reform starts with not casting any more votes for Madigan as House speaker,” he said. “As long as House Democrats continue voting for as speaker, there will be no substantive reforms.”