https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/33820/

Reporter Dean Olsen interviewed Reform for Illinois Executive Director Alisa Kaplan for a State Journal-Register article on the new ethics law passed by the General Assembly. Kaplan pointed out that the state’s new revolving door prohibition is much shorter than the…

Reform for Illinois Statement on Republican Ethics Proposal

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/reform-for-illinois-statement-on-republican-ethics-proposal/

Last week, Republicans in the Illinois Senate introduced an amendment to SB1350 containing a package of ethics reforms that would make some significant changes to the status quo in Springfield.  The new bill is not perfect, but it improves on…

Trish Oberweis

https://www.reformforillinois.org/member/trish-oberweis/

Trish Oberweis earned her Doctorate from the interdisciplinary School of Justice Studies at Arizona State University. She has been professor of criminal justice studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville since 2002, but has also taught in Political Science, Public Administration,…

David Orr

https://www.reformforillinois.org/member/david-orr/

As Cook County Clerk, David Orr served as the chief election authority in one of the largest election jurisdictions in the country and has found innovative ways to reform how government works. David has been a reformer in a town…

Chicago Tribune: RFI Weighs in on Legislative Ethics Proposals

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/chicago-tribune-rfi-weighs-in-on-legislative-ethics-proposals/

As part of a report on the package of ethics reforms currently under consideration in the General Assembly, Dan Petrella and Jenny Whidden of the Chicago Tribune turned to RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan for her take on the proposals. Read…

What does Pritzker’s $35 million contribution mean for the 2022 governor’s race?

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/what-does-pritzkers-35-million-contribution-mean-for-the-2022-governors-race/

The 2022 primaries are still a year away and Governor Pritzker has not yet announced his reelection campaign, but he has already infused his political committee with a $35 million self-contribution. Reform for Illinois Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with…

Real ethics reform isn’t easy, but it’s more important than ever

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/real-ethics-reform-isnt-easy-but-its-more-important-than-ever/

Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with Greg Bishop of The Center Square to discuss ethics reform in the wake of a new report by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago showing that Illinois is the second most corrupt state government…

Mike Madigan’s influence isn’t fully gone

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/33714/

Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with Greg Bishop of The Center Square to discuss the future of Mike Madigan’s influence over the Democratic Party of Illinois. While he may be gone as a state lawmaker and as the chair of some key…

Illinois citizens need remote access to legislative hearings

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/illinois-citizens-need-remote-access-to-hearings/

RFI Executive Director spoke with Greg Bishop about the Illinois House’s new rules to allow remote committee meetings. It’s a start, but more rule updates are needed so that citizens can fully participate in the work of their government. Read…

Is Real Ethics Reform Coming to Springfield?

https://www.reformforillinois.org/blog/is-real-ethics-reform-coming-to-springfield/

With Mike Madigan out as Speaker of the House and Chris Welch now in the top post, along with a slew of prosecutions of former members of the General Assembly, there is now an opportunity like never before in recent…