Death, Taxes, and...Corruption? Maybe Not.

Death, Taxes, and...Corruption? Maybe Not.

(Local Voice of the Citizen: No.001 - February 24, 2020)

Death and taxes are the two things that are certain, but in Illinois, there is a third certainty; corruption- corrupt politicians and politicians scheming and being corrupt. In fact, decades upon decades of unyielding betrayal of our public trust by Chicago, Cook, and Illinois politicians demonstrates that there is yet another Illinois-specific certainty - politicians are not capable of policing themselves.

Even now, as Governor Pritzker makes a call for ethics reform, we are reminded of the Cook County property tax fraud he committed in 2015 to the tune of a $330,000 fine for removing all the toilets from one of his two mansions in order to make that mansion unlivable and thereby reducing his property taxes for the years 2012-2016. This was no mistake or oversight, it was intentional.

Even now, as Michael Madigan, the Speaker of the Illinois House and head of the Illinois Democratic Party seems to have a corruption (and sexual) scandal erupt here, there, and everywhere, the sounds of silence from his legislators can be heard across the Land of Lincoln.

Just a few weeks back, the Better Government Association (“BGA”) testified before the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform (the “Joint Commission”). BGA Director of Policy Marie Dillon testified, “The people of Illinois have paid a steep price for the state’s casual attitude toward conflicts of interest. It’s time to get serious.”

The politicians and political landscape in Illinois have resulted in various draconian measures that have pushed residents out of the state, with Illinois losing three seats in the last 4 census results and likely next year to lose two more.

With these additional, disgraceful Illinois certainties, it is indeed time to get serious. Here is our five-point plan to save Illinois:

1. Speaker of the Illinois House and boss of the Illinois Democratic Party immediately resign his legislative seat and Chairmanship and donates his campaign funds to charity.
2. Establish our own “Ethics Rules for Politicians Required by the Citizens Panel” comprised of citizens from across all communities, creeds, and color, but absolutely no current or former politicians. Panel hearings will be run by citizens and will then require the politicians to enact all recommendations.
3. Establish our own “Political and Politician Investigations Taskforce” comprised again, as above, of no current or former politicians. The Taskforce will receive any and all allegations of misconduct by politicians, compile then, share them widely (and openly) across the state, and turn them all, without exception, over to the FBI. We’re bypassing the political “filtering” middle-person in leading with citizens.
4. Establish our own “Citizens Redistricting Commission” comprised, you guessed it, of no current or former politicians. The Commission will, in a fully open process, draw the next decade’s political districts. This will be the ultimate “fair” map (the three previous attempts by civic groups to create a fair map were, in a case of ultimate irony, opposed by Democrat Madigan and his lawyers).
5. From Carbondale to Danville, from Oswego to Metropolis, from Harvey to Rockford, from Englewood to Uptown, we protest, march, and use our voices until this five-point agenda is fully enacted by Illinois politicians. We the citizens will have to do the work here, make no mistake about it.

The change Illinois needs can happen. That there exists the Joint Commission and a gubernatorial call for a focus on corruption is a very small positive, but letting the foxes guard or even be anywhere near the hen house, much less the farm, is ludicrous. Will this five-point plan work? That’s a certainty we don’t know yet but what is certain is that if left to their own devices, Illinois politicians will keep on keeping on with their corrupt ways.

Daniel Cotter and Jac Charlier are civic leaders living on the Northwest side of Chicago and co-founders of “Local Voice of the Citizen”, an independent, diverse, and progressive voice for the rest of us.