News From
State Representative Ron
Stephens
For Immediate Release: April 3, 2009
Contact: Rep. Stephens
618-651-0405
Former Democrat Governor
Rod Blagojevich Indicted
Rep.
Stephens hopes corruption and scandal will bring about positive change in
“The indictments against former Governor Blagojevich and his group of cronies come as little surprise,” Rep. Stephens said. “Following his impeachment and removal from office, it was ultimately a matter of time.”
Blagojevich was indicted on 16 felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal agents. Stephens said the breadth of the charges laid out is staggering.
“The indictment details corruption, perpetrated by the former Democrat Governor, unlike anything we have ever seen before,” Stephens said. “Not only is he accused of trying to sell the President’s former Senate seat, but he’s also accused of extorting the Tribune Company because he was unhappy with the editorial staff, withholding state funds from a children’s hospital because they refused to make a campaign donation, and trying to trade his signature on legislation for campaign contributions.
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“It was clear from the evidence and testimony offered in both the House and Senate that Rod Blagojevich’s alleged criminal and unethical behavior rose to the level of impeachment and his ultimate removal from office,” Stephens continued. “Now as a private citizen he will get his day in court and state government is already moving on.”
According to Stephens, since Blagojevich’s removal from office in late January, lawmakers have realized the hard work of regaining the people’s confidence still lies ahead of them.
“This entire mess has destroyed the public’s confidence in their leadership,” Stephens said. “We must all work together to bring back integrity and restore faith in our Government by tackling corruption through tougher laws aimed at regulating campaign contributions to elected officials.”
Stephens said various bills, already filed in the House and Senate, need to be looked at to see if they can bring about positive government transparency.
House Bill 35, which passed in the House yesterday 117-0-0, calls for the creation of a website, designed to give the public easy access to obtain information about state expenditures, tax credits, state employee salaries and state contracts.
Additionally, House Bill 4100 would expand lobbyist disclosure and reporting requirements, as well as increase penalties associated with violating disclosure laws. House Bill 1061 requires a campaign to report any contribution over $10,000 within two days of receiving the donation. House Bill 4110 prohibits gubernatorial appointees from soliciting campaign contributions. House Bill 4111 would prohibit state agencies from hiring lobbyists.
“Senate Bill 364 also needs to be seriously looked at,” Stephens said. “The bill calls for the termination of each member appointed by former Governor Blagojevich to state pension boards. It would also require new members, trustees and employees of a fund or board to take part in ethics training and would expand gift ban prohibition.”
Stephens believes
“If back in 2002,
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