SPRINGFIELD – Following a number of ethics violations under the dome over the years, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) helped pass a measure to hold lawmakers, lobbyists and other insiders to the highest ethical standards.

“We must continue to strive for more transparency, greater disclosure and a higher standard of conduct,” Morrison said. “This commonsense legislation calls for lawmakers to work in the best interest of the people of Illinois – not in the best interest of themselves or their wallets.”

The ethics overhaul measure – found within Senate Bill 539 – makes a number of changes to current ethics law, including instituting a revolving door for executive branch elected officials and legislators becoming lobbyists, enacting a more clear statement of economic interest form and creating a statewide lobbying database.

Many of the items found within the measure were originally part of an ethics package filed by Morrison in January 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that measure was not able to make it across the finish line. However, Morrison is pleased to have pledged her support for this bill that will help end corruption in Illinois government.

“This is another step toward ending the glaring corruption taking place in Springfield,” Morrison said. “I applaud my colleagues in both chambers for passing real, lasting ethics reform.”

The measure passed both chambers.