WTTW: Illinois Republicans Call for Stronger Ethics Reforms Following Conviction of Madigan’s Ex-Chief of Staff

In a recent interview with WTTW, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie discussed her newly filed legislation, that would end the practice of using campaign war chests for criminal defense attorneys. This is in response to the embattled former House speaker, Mike Madigan, who has used his Friends of Michael J Madigan fund to pay for a reported 10 lawyers in his criminal case. According to state disclosures, the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman has been paid $8,461,396.35 so far.

In addition, McCombie wants a special session to deal with some of the lapses in the state's ethics laws including the so-called revolving door in which lawmakers leave office and then become lobbyists.

"It's amazing to me to think that I could be a mayor of a community, a state representative and a lobbyist all at the same time," she said. "There's also a case where a (lawmaker) was charged and convicted and then can turn around and come back and then be a lobbyist," she added. "I think we should be banning (that) in the General Assembly."

Watch the full interview here.