Illinois Valley Times

State Rep. David Welter said it’s time to take ethics seriously. Imagine that. Or rather, reimagine.

Welter (R-Morris) is one of a group of Republicans who are calling for serious reform in Illinois. They are making their case with the Reimagine Illinois campaign, and are asking residents to visit its website and sign a petition supporting reform.

“Illinois House Republicans have reimagined an Illinois free of corruption and with responsible fiscal leadership,” the website states. “An Illinois where jobs are plentiful and all our neighborhoods are safe. We invite you to take a tour of our reimagined Illinois and if you agree it’s time for a change, sign our petition.”

During an April 15 press conference in Springfield, Welter and other Republican legislators explained why there was such a glaring need for change and a commitment to honesty and ethics.

“It's been 18 months since former state Rep. Louie Arroyo was charged with bribery and forced to resign from the General Assembly. Yet no bills have been passed to strengthen our ethics laws in Illinois,” he said. “It’s been more than a year since the late Sen. Martin Sandoval resigned from the Illinois Senate and pleaded guilty to federal bribery and tax charges. Yet here we are. No bills have been passed to strengthen our ethics laws in Illinois. It's been nine months since Conrad was charged in a years-long bribery scheme that implicated then-Speaker Michael Madigan. Yet no bills have been filed to strengthen our ethics laws.”

Madigan, a Democrat from southwest Chicago, served 50 years in the state House of Representatives, 36 years as speaker. He had acquired tremendous power over the decades, but also was surrounded by reports of corruption and unethical actions.

In 2020, federal prosecutors charged ComEd with seeking preferred treatment by providing payments, jobs and contracts to friends and allies of Madigan. ComEd paid a $200 millions fine after admitting it was attempting to gain favor from “Public Official A,” identified as Madigan.

Now, with Madigan gone, Welter said the only remaining question is, when will state government move toward serious change?

“How many more cases of corruption need to be exposed before House Democrats act on ethics reform since assuming the gavel in January?” he asked. “Speaker Welch has said repeatedly in public that ethics needs to be a priority.”

Welter was appointed to represent the 75th District on July 15, 2016. He had been chairman of the Grundy County Board after serving six years on the board. Since his appointment, Welter has been elected to three terms in the General Assembly.

Welter and his wife Ashley live in Morris with their three young children.