Click Here

Good Policy Lost because of Springfield Power Struggle

Everyone knows about the ongoing feud between Speaker Madigan and the Governor. Most are also aware Senate President Jones is the Governor’s strongest ally (not only strongest but one of the few remaining). After last year’s never ending battle, and Blagojevich’s refusal to recognize rules instilled by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (instead insisting that JCAR is merely “advisory” and he can craft his own rules), the Speaker decided any legislation that will need implementation rules must contain an amendment stating these rules have to be adopted by the legislature.

Continue reading »

What a Perfect Time to Sign Ethics Legislation, Right?

Before leaving town two weeks ago legislators sent a bill to the governor that has been years in the making. I’m referring to the legislation that has been batted back and forth between the House and Senate which would ban ‘pay-to-play’ campaign contributions.

House Bill 824 bans campaign contributions from contractors doing $50,000 a year or more in business with the state. It seems pretty straight forward, and although it may not cure all the problems, it is definitely a step in the right direction. In reality, we really shouldn’t even need to create legislation like this. Most individual’s moral standards would tell them the perception of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions, and then doling out millions of dollars in state contracts to that contributors company is something that should just be avoided. But here in Illinois, where we have been plagued by corruption, all ethical measures need to be firmly written into law.

Continue reading »

Senator Dan Rutherford will be hosting a town hall meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, June 9th in the Pontiac City Hall to provide citizens with more information on Pontiac Correctional Center closure and ideas for citizen’s actions.

Click here for more information