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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, May 8, 2009 9:12 PM CDT
OUR VIEW: Fitzgerald, reform panel are positive steps

By the JG/T-C
editorial@jg-tc.com

Two events last week should play a significant role in curbing political corruption in Illinois.

The Illinois Reform Commission announced 34 proposals to fight dirty politics.

And Sen. Dick Durbin announced that federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has agreed to remain in office.

We are excited about both announcements and believe Illinois has an opportunity to escape its recent sordid political past.

Fitzgerald is the U.S. attorney who brought charges against former governors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich.

Ryan was convicted and is in federal prison. Blagojevich has been indicted and is scheduled to go to trial.

Fitzgerald is an independent. He was first nominated for the Chicago-based office by then-Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (no relation), a Republican.

He prosecuted Ryan, a Republican.

Now Durbin, a Democrat, is recommending to President Obama, a Chicago Democrat, that Fitzgerald continue his prosecution of Blagojevich, also a Democrat from Chicago.

Fitzgerald has shown he is an “equal opportunity’ prosecutor.

That’s what Illinois needs.

New Gov. Pat Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly now have an opportunity to demonstrate how serious they are about cleaning up any unethical practices by acting on the Reform Commission’s recommendations.

Among the major recommendations is limiting the time that someone can serve as speaker of the House and Senate president.

The commission also wants to limit the amount individuals and political committees may donate to candidates. Also recommended are fewer exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act.

We like all three proposals.

Michael Madigan may be the most powerful politician in the state. He has been House speaker for 24 of the past 26 years.

Emil Jones also led Senate Democrats for 16 years, including a number of years as Senate president. The commission says no one should serve more than 10 years as House speaker or Senate president.

Campaign contributions would be limited to $2,400 by individuals and $5,000 by political action committees.

Lobbyists and those with state contracts would be banned from contributing.

We all are well aware of Blagojevich’s alleged price tag for some political favors. It’s alleged he often sought $25,000 to $50,000 in campaign contributions with many donors ending up with a state contract or appointment to some agency or board.

Drawing legislative districts by computer rather than by the majority party and establishing a public corruption division in the Illinois State Police are other positive steps.

Ethics and morals may be individual character traits, but the return of Patrick Fitzgerald and legislative approval of these Illinois Reform Commission recommendations will help end some of state government’s shady practices.

— JG/T-C Editorial Board

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