(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Some government-reform advocates say the ethics legislation just approved by the Illinois General Assembly makes some improvements — but not nearly enough.
Madeleine Doubek, executive director of the group CHANGE Illinois, said the ethics package makes needed changes to the annual financial disclosures that lawmakers have to file.
But, she said, the six-month ban on former legislators becoming lobbyists is too short. And, she said, the Legislative Inspector General gains only slightly more independence when investigating allegations against lawmakers.
"This is really window-dressing," she said. "In the state we're in, in Illinois, where we have repeated indictments and corrupt activities, this does not go nearly far enough."
Doubek said there are some improvements in the ethics laws contained in the legislation lawmakers approved, but not nearly enough.
The public deserves better and she wants to see public pressure on the legislators to deliver, she said.
