SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Democratic lawmakers leading a committee to study stricter ethics guidelines for the Illinois General Assembly acknowledge that they missed a key deadline because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform was formed last fall after several federal indictments for bribery and more hit sitting legislators.
The deadline set for putting forward the panel’s recommendations was March 31. But the commission’s co-chairmen, House Majority Leader Greg Harris and Sen. Eglie Sims, say the novel coronavirus outbreak has slowed the panel’s progress. The Chicago Democrats say they hope there will be debate on potential legislation yet this spring.
