Kankakee Times

Members of the Illinois GOP have shown their support for the ReImagine Illinois plan, which they say seeks to end political corruption in the state while ensuring fiscal financial responsibility.

The Reimagine Illinois plan came after the revelation that Illinois is ranked as the second most corrupt state in the country, according to research by the University of Illinois-Chicago.

“House Republicans have introduced more than 80 pieces of legislation as part of our Reimagine Illinois plan,” Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) said in a Facebook post. “These proposals focus on four key principles that will help make Illinois the best place to live, work, and raise a family: Ending the culture of corruption, responsible fiscal leadership, growing jobs and opportunities for our families and ensuring public safety.”

Since 2020, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been under investigation for tax fraud. Pritzker’s wife and brother-in-law are also the subjects of the federal investigation, according to some reports. Allegations against Pritzker include that he instructed workers to remove toilets from his home so that he could claim the property as uninhabitable on his taxes.

Former House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), who resigned in February, is linked to a federal investigation for an alleged bribery scheme. Madigan has not been charged and has admitted to no wrongdoing.

Although these two investigations have not resulted in indictments, the same cannot be said of all government officials in Illinois and Chicago.

According to the Illinois Corruption Tracker, officials that have been indicted on charges stemming from the investigation include: state Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), state Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero), state Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago), state Sen. Terry Link (D-Gurnee).

In 2019, Chicago Alderman Willi Cochran confessed to stealing up to $14,000 from a charity he created to help needy children in the South Side ward. According to his confession, the stolen funds were used to purchase Mercedes-Benz accessories, his daughter’s college tuition and a gambling habit.

In May 2019, Alderman Ed Burke was inducted on a 14-count corruption charge.