SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) released the following statement after ethics legislation passed the Illinois House on Monday night.
“I was a member of the Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Lobbying Reform in the 101st General Assembly. That task force’s work was interrupted largely by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdowns that occurred.
However, as the months wore on, I was disappointed that efforts were not made to have meetings using electronic means. Every other Committee in Illinois found a way to have hearings, make progress, and craft comprehensive, meaningful ethics reforms.
I voted to support this legislation because it will unfortunately be my only chance to vote on ethics reform this spring. I will continue to demand the legislature do better, so that we may begin to restore the faith and trust that has been lost by the people of Illinois in their government as corrupt politicians, one after another, have been raided, investigated, indicted, and incarcerated. Today is a small step in the right direction. Much more work remains to be done.”