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Lauzen: No intention of reporting allegation

January 21, 2012
Kane County Chronicle
By JONATHAN BILYK 
 
 
While he believes that Kane County’s political system is “badly in need of reform,” State Sen

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Blagojevich trial legacy must be ethics reform (Editorial)

June 29, 2011
Decatur Herald & Review

By the H&R Editorial Staff

WHILE THE first impulse is to celebrate, it's hard to feel much joy about the 17 guilty verdicts delivered Monday by a federal jury against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on a wide variety of charges including extortion, bribery, corruption and fraud.

At best, it represents a triumph of the justice system. At worst, it's a symbol of the kind of corruption that has permeated upper levels of government in the state of Illinois for too many years.

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Transparency v. Free Speech

May 22, 2011
National Journal

RULES OF THE GAME

The argument that secrecy and non-disclosure are necessary to uphold the First Amendment rings hollow.
by Eliza Newlin Carney

It’s become popular in certain circles to assail political transparency as a nefarious threat to free speech.

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No Jail Time for Ex-Political Boss in Pension Case

May 18, 2011
New York Times

By JOHN ELIGON

Raymond B. Harding, the former chairman of New York State’s Liberal Party, was spared jail time Wednesday for his role in a sprawling pay-to-play scheme involving the state’s $141 billion pension fund.

Mr. Harding also will not have to repay the $800,000 he made from the scheme, according to an agreement announced during his sentencing in State Supreme Court in Manhattan.

But as part of his deal, Mr. Harding may not get into further trouble with the law, or else he could be sent to jail.
 

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Editorial: Welcome teamwork on ethics reforms

May 10, 2011
Chicago Sun-Times

In a state where the practice of pay-to-play in politics has been pervasive, the news that two Illinois lawmakers are teaming up on ethics reforms is welcome.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, a Republican, and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, a Northwest Side Democrat, announced Monday they are pushing two ethics measures.

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Obama order could make corporate political spending public

May 8, 2011
Chicago Tribune

An executive order being considered by President Obama would require companies bidding for federal contracts to disclose political spending they may now keep secret.

By Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger, Washington Bureau

Reporting from Washington—
A lobbying battle is raging largely behind the scenes over a seemingly obscure executive order that could — if signed by President Obama — make public the political spending that many corporations can now keep secret.

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Legislative panel begins work on state contractors

May 5, 2011
Austin Talks

by Sen. Don Harmon

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate Committee on Procurement – led by Illinois Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) – held its first hearing this week to publicly establish its mission and invite testimony from interested parties.

The recently formed committee represents another step in the process of reforming Illinois government in the wake of numerous scandals, including the impeachment and ultimate removal of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose trial on corruption charges continues in federal court in Chicago.

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