CHICAGO -- A new report co-authored by a University of Illinois at Chicago political scientist features proposed reforms to help prevent corruption in Illinois government.
The report, "Curing Corruption in Illinois: Anti-Corruption Report," presents historical background on Illinois political corruption, analysis of how corruption occurs, and proposed solutions to end corruption in Illinois, according to a release from UIC. It also includes a detailed account of aldermanic corruption in the Chicago City Council since 1970 with a corresponding appendix of convicted aldermen.
"Because of the history of corruption and the high level of continuing corruption in Illinois, now is the time to build a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy to create a new political culture in which public corruption is no longer tolerated," said study co-author Dick Simpson, professor and head of political science at UIC and a former 44th Ward alderman in Chicago.
The report calls for a program of reform including corruption prevention and enforcement measures along with public involvement and education. The suggested reforms address a variety of issues such as campaign financing, lobbying, government transparency, contracts, political support and citizen empowerment.
Some of the proposals include:
• Enact public campaign financing for all major state and local government offices, including judicial campaigns.
• Strengthen the inspector general offices at all levels of government, but particularly in state government.
• Elect reform candidates who run on reform platforms and keep their promises. This needs to happen consistently for a decade for a new political culture to be built.
• The newly established state ethics commission should recommend a comprehensive reform agenda -- with pledged support from Gov. Pat. Quinn -- that is widely promoted and accepted.
• Require the public school curriculum to teach about the costs of corruption and the importance of honest, ethical government.
• Increase public participation by encouraging community organizations to hold "accountability sessions" for elected officials, public hearings to identify citizens' needs, and open hearings on the functioning of various government bureaucracies.
To pass and implement these reforms requires a "broad coalition of support," said Simpson, who estimates that patronage, waste and bloated government contracts cost Illinois taxpayers approximately $300 million each year.
The report will be officially released at a Crossroads Fund-sponsored panel discussion, "Twenty Ways to Stop Corruption in Illinois," today from 6 - 8 p.m., at Chicago Temple First United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 77 W. Washington St.
Joining Simpson on the panel are Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform; Patrick Collins, attorney and chair of the ethics commission charged with making recommendations to reform state government; and Miguel Del Valle, Chicago City Clerk
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