Two Dems keep pushing for ethics laws

New Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner jumped out of the starting blocks signing as many executive orders as he could to signal an end to business as usual in Illinois.

There was the inaugural order to freeze non-essential spending. Then came the order to block the revolving door on government employees cashing in as lobbyists. Next was the move to post on the Internet information about employees under Rauner’s control who are hired for political positions.

Lost in the flurry was the fact that Rauner had a couple of House Democrats standing behind him as he signed those second and third orders. State Rep. Scott Drury, a Highwood Democrat, has been pushing for an end to the so-called revolving door from public service to lobbying since he first went to Springfield two years ago. State Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, has been vocal about the need for more transparency in government since his first campaign in 1999.

Clearly, Rauner’s other message in the display, and in several of his Cabinet appointments, is that he will woo and work with Democrats, from veteran House Speaker Michael Madigan to relative newcomer Drury. Madigan is playing nice in the early going, and Franks and Drury were happy to comply and join in the stagecraft.

“I like that he listened and we worked on it and he made it his executive order,” Franks said. “That never happened with Quinn. He [Rauner] didn’t care where the idea came from. It was a good idea so he implemented it.”

If there were a blue dog Democrat caucus in Springfield, or a good government caucus, Drury, a former federal prosecutor, or Franks might head it up. Of course, the caucus might not be very big. Drury and Franks have pushed for laws — not executive orders that only apply to the executive branch — designed to improve government ethics and transparency but success has been tougher to achieve.

Drury introduced a sweeping ethics package after he first won office that included a strict gift ban for lawmakers and a two-year ban on government workers, including lawmakers, going into lobbying, as is done in many other states. “I think I proposed over a dozen and had a low batting average,” he said.

Within two days of taking over, Rauner had Drury, Franks and a few Republicans standing behind him. Rauner’s lobbying ban applies only for one year and only to the executive branch, but it’s progress.

Both House Democrats said Rauner called to set up meetings after the election. They brought ideas and details on things Rauner seemed to agree with them about during the campaign, and they quickly received follow-up calls and invites to the signings.

“I told him I’ve been trying to shake up Springfield as well,” Drury said. “It’s a move in the right direction, and if someone is willing to champion it, then certainly I’m going to support that.”

Neither man said they expect retribution from Madigan for the early display. If the speaker thinks a move doesn’t harm his ability to preserve his majority, then Madigan likely will be open to it.

Drury hopes he can win lawmakers and Rauner’s backing on a bill to require people to testify under oath under penalty of perjury in state government, as well as on a stronger gift ban. Franks thinks he can work with Rauner on ending corporate tax breaks, budgeting and government consolidation.

Some of those might even get the OK from Madigan. But Franks’ bill seeking a non-binding ballot question asking voters if they want term limits on the speaker, Senate president and minority leaders? Well, that will be a whole other matter entirely.

Madeleine Doubek is chief operating officer of Reboot Illinois.