Misconduct illustrates need for mandatory reporting. Again.

Ex-Rep. Harry Benton recently resigned from the IL General Assembly following allegations of serious misconduct. Yet, the report on Benton’s actions has not been made public. The problem, Executive Director Alisa Kaplan argues in the Chicago Tribune, is a lack of transparency that is a feature, not a bug, of law.

The Legislative Ethics Commission, a group of elected officials, is responsible for disclosing investigations by the legislative inspector general. Yet, when it comes to the conduct of elected officials, disclosure of those reports is optional. Instead of politicians governing themselves, Kaplan argues, reporting should be mandatory to give the public the answers it deserves.

For the full letter to the Tribune, click here.