METROPOLIS – State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) joined the other three Republican members of the General Assembly of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform in issuing a letter to the co-chairs of the Commission requesting to meet to finish its work and finalize its report that was due at the end of March.
The contents of the letter are here:
House Majority Leader Greg Harris
1967 W. Montrose
Chicago, IL 60613
State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
8233 S. Princeton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60620
Dear Co-chair Harris and Co-chair Sims,
The Joint Commission on Ethics & Lobbying Reform has not met since March 5. While none of us could have imagined the extent to which the coronavirus pandemic would limit our ability to conduct state business in person these last few months, we have all found creative ways to work around the risks associated with COVID-19.
Some state panels are now meeting in person, including the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), with proper precautions in place, and many other groups are utilizing online apps like Zoom to conduct business. In fact, many groups have been meeting via Zoom throughout the entirety of the health pandemic. There is no reason why the Joint Commission on Ethics & Lobbying Reform cannot complete its work.
Recent news only highlights the importance of our collective work to establish better ethical standards for those elected to serve the public. This most recent breach of ethics involving ComEd and the Speaker of the House requires our immediate attention.
As the Republican members of the General Assembly serving on the commission, we are formally requesting that you reconvene the Joint Commission on Lobbying & Ethics Reform, either in person or through an online meeting service, within 30 days of the date of this letter, to complete our final report, including policy recommendations for comprehensive ethics reform.
Our group was doing good work prior to the stay-home order associated with the COVID-19 response. We must complete our work and follow through with several legislative remedies to combat the corruption that has stained our state and continues to erode the public’s confidence in its government. The blanket of mistrust in state government will only be lifted when policies are put in place that force elected officials to meet the highest levels of conduct.
Sincerely,
State Senator Dan McConchie
State Senator John Curran
State Rep. Grant Wehrli
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst