This morning, State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) was joined by fellow House Republicans, State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) and State Representative Travis Weaver (R-Peoria), for a press conference to call for reforms to the Legislative Inspector General’s Office (LIG) and stronger ethics laws to stamp out corruption. In another galling episode of unethical behavior by public officials in Illinois, three members of the House Democratic caucus have come under intense scrutiny for misconduct allegations this summer, forcing one to resign, while another faces a federal investigation.
“The ethics scandals that have rocked Illinois government over the past few years should have been all that was needed for comprehensive reforms to be passed so it is clear corrupt behavior will not be tolerated,” said Ugaste.
Rep. Ugaste has also emphasized the need for voters to have a more direct say when public officials betray the public trust. Under current laws, the options available to the public to take action into their own hands to remove unethical elected officials are essentially non-existent. Short of a felony, there are few options.
Ugaste has filed two pieces of legislation to allow voters to initiate recalls and ensure any elected official in the state can be held accountable. Those pieces of legislation are House Bill 1304 and House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4.
“It’s time to end the lip service and excuses,” said Ugaste. “The people of Illinois have been forced to live with a constant stream of unethical, and sometimes illegal, behavior from their government officials for too long. It must end, and it can end now if Democrats work with Republicans to pass comprehensive ethics reform that restores public trust in government.”
While the latest period of unethical behavior has exposed problems in the investigative process through the Legislative Inspector General’s Office, resulting in the current LIG announcing his resignation, Republicans and former LIGs have called for reforms and increased independence to strengthen the office for years. Among their suggestions, Republicans have proposed House Bill 1382, which would give the LIG the power to subpoena during public corruption investigations.
House Republicans have also proposed House Bill 1554 and House Bill 1727. HB 1554 would prohibit public officials from using campaign funds to pay for criminal defense, while HB 1727 would prevent public officials charged or indicted on a felony from collecting pension benefits.
Rep. Ugaste serves Illinois House District 65, which includes parts of Kane and DuPage counties.