Two Democratic lawmakers whose names were floated for the group have declined to participate, while even Governor Pritzker has questioned whether a working group is the right approach.
Here is what they are saying:
Rep. Kelly Cassidy:
“I'm disappointed, as I believe a working group on this topic could be necessary and important. But we have a responsibility to victims and survivors to ensure any such body is credible and effective, and I currently do not have confidence it will be.”
Rep. Gregg Johnson:
“But I’ve just made it very clear that I didn’t feel comfortable serving on the committee unless it was going to consist of people who had not publicly put out any statements or taken any interviews because I saw different narratives coming out of those interviews and those conversations.”
Governor Pritzker:
“I’ve seen working groups go on for a year-and-a-half. There is no time here. There are already models for dealing with this in other states. I believe that there doesn’t need to be much of a discussion through a working group.”
Speaker Welch’s working group is nothing more than a PR stunt. Even members of his own party are questioning its credibility and effectiveness. A Democrat-only working group that includes some members who have publicly defended Welch’s handling of the controversy is no substitute for real, bipartisan reform.
While Speaker Welch focuses on damage control, House Republicans have consistently pushed for meaningful ethics reforms, including requiring Legislative Inspector General reports to be made public within 60 days of completion, banning lawmakers from using campaign funds for criminal defense, and suspending pension benefits for public officials charged with felonies related to their official duties.