By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Republicans have brought out some favorite concepts – ethics, balanced budgets, jobs, and public safety – and put new wrapping paper on them.
It’s called Reimagine Illinois.
Now the GOP’s favorite poster boy, former House Speaker Mike Madigan, is no longer around, but House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) says that’s not the point.
“Think of it,” Durkin told a statehouse news conference. “We have a sitting Democrat leadership member who is trying to pass legislation and to bribe a sitting state senator who happens to be wearing a wire. So it’s real simple. Ban the whole idea of legislators involved with lobbying at any level of state government. Expand economic interest statements to ensure that there is full transparency.”
The lawmakers to whom Durkin refers, Rep. Luis Arroyo and Sen. Terry Link, are no longer in the legislature.
So what’s new about the Republicans’ proposal?
“We have a comprehensive plan here,” said State Rep. Mike Murphy (R-Springfield). “We have four platforms that we’re attacking many problems — everything in here resonates through the entire state of Illinois. Some of these bills were introduced in the past, but it wasn’t with a comprehensive plan that we have today. And this gives us a focus: a focus on four priorities that we can move forward with.”
The four points: “Ending the Culture of Corruption,” “Responsible Fiscal Leadership,” “Growing Jobs and Opportunities for Our Families,” “Ensuring Public Safety.”
www.reimagineillinois.com
Dave Dahl can be reached at news@wjbc.com
