A SPECIAL COMMISSION ON ETHICS REFORMS CONTINUES TO GATHER IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO BEST END CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT. 

THE GROUP HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE, DETAILING WHAT’S BEING DONE IN OTHER STATES AND OFFERING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ILLINOIS. CO-CHAIRMAN, REPRESENTATIVE ELGIE SIMS OF CHICAGO SAYS CREATING STRICTER RULES WILL BE A BALANCING ACT.

REPRESENTATIVE GREG HARRIS OF CHICAGO IS THE GROUP’S CO-CHAIR.

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE LEGISLATURES TESTIFIED THAT NO STATES PROHIBIT LAWMAKERS FROM WORKING A SECOND JOB OR FROM LOBBYING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. THEY ALSO SAID RULES ABOUT HOW SOON A LEGISLATOR CAN PICK UP A LOBBYING GIG AFTER LEAVING OFFICE VARY FROM SIX TO SEVEN YEARS TO JUST THE REMAINDER OF THEIR TERM.