ETHICS
Illinois House and Senate Republicans Demand Meetings of Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform Resume Immediately. The Republican Legislative Delegation to Illinois’ Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform held a Zoom video press conference on Monday morning demanding that Ethics Commission chairs take steps to resume meetings immediately. The four Republican lawmakers serve as commission members.

In happier times, this week would have fallen right between two of Illinois’ premier late summer events: Springfield’s Illinois State Fair, and downstate’s DuQuoin State Fair; annual gatherings for fun, all-things-fried-and-on-a-stick, agricultural showcases and plenty of rides. With the cancellation this year’s state fairs, and so many county fairs, many Illinoisans are disappointed to miss out on the corn dogs, livestock shows and rides on the Ferris wheel.

Here in Illinois we have a special connection to the Ferris wheel, as it was invented by an Illinoisan and made its first public appearance at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

The Illinois Secretary of State announced that the expiration date for valid driver’s licenses held by Illinois drivers who are 75 years of age or older has been extended for a period of one year past the licenses’ current 2020 expiration date. As a result, drivers age 75 and older with a 2020 driver’s license expiration date do not need to visit a facility to renew their driver’s license until shortly before their birthday in 2021.

In this podcast episode of Leading Voices, Rep. Jeff Keicher talks about the need to implement reforms to end public corruption and instill integrity in state government.

Have All Voted Who Wish · Leading Voices: Rep. Jeff Keicher

REMEMBERING GOVERNOR JIM THOMPSON
Gov. James R. “Big Jim” Thompson, Illinois’ longest-serving governor, passes away at age 84. This week Illinois says goodbye to its 37th Governor, the history-making James R. Thompson. Illinois’ longest-serving governor, Thompson passed away last Friday at the age of 84.

This week Illinois says goodbye to its 37th Governor, the history-making James R. Thompson. Illinois’ longest-serving governor, Thompson passed away Friday at the age of 84.

Governor Thompson left a legacy as a builder and deal-maker. He won the biggest gubernatorial landslide in living memory as well as the closest nail-biter in Illinois history. Around the state, buildings and other projects stand today as monuments to the governorship of Jim Thompson.

In December of 2019, Rep. Tony McCombie filed House Joint Resolution 87 creating the State Ethics Task Force. HJR87 garnered bipartisan sponsorship but was never granted a hearing by House Speaker Michael Madigan who is now the subject of a Federal probe.

In this podcast episode, Rep. McCombie talks about what steps need to be taken to instill ethics reforms in the state and put an end to the corruption that affects every Illinoisan.

Have All Voted Who Wish · Leading Voices: Rep. Tony McCombie