A southern Illinois lawmaker is weighing in on the controversy surrounding a Chicago area legislator.
A complaint unsealed Monday in federal court accuses Chicago Democratic State Representative Luis Arroyo of offering a $2,500 monthly payment to a sitting state senator for the senator's support on sweepstakes-related legislation.
The announcement came immediately following a House Republican news conference announcing legislation for an Ethics Reform Task Force.
Republican State Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis is a member of the task force. He says it should now be obvious to everyone that ethics reform legislation has to get done in the state of Illinois.
"This ethics reform task force is important because we need to address the areas of corruption in our state government, bring positive legislation forward and bring an end to corruption through better and more effective laws."
Some of the reforms on the table include determining who can lobby state and local governments and how long someone has to wait after they serve before becoming a lobbyist.
Meanwhile, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has started the process by which lawmakers will consider removing Arroyo from office.
Madigan also formed a committee to investigate Arroyo. A House rule allows wide latitude to discipline or remove a member.
Madigan tabbed Hoffman Estates Rep. Fred Crespo, Rep. Justin Slaughter of Chicago and Rep. Barbara Hernandez of Aurora as Democratic investigative committee members. The committee will meet Friday and has a second meeting scheduled for Nov. 8.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has yet to name three GOP committee members.
