Lake County Gazette

Illinois state Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) is convinced there is only one way to clean up corruption in Springfield.

“We need to get tough on corrupt public officials, lock 'em up,” McSweeney posted on Facebook. “I filed a bill to add five years of prison time for Illinois legislators who commit felonies. I'm fighting to end corruption in both parties of Illinois.”

McSweeney’s latest actions were sparked by the recent arrest of now former state Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) on bribery charges that allege he sought to pay off an unknown sitting state senator in exchange for support on a gambling bill. Arroyo’s resignation came after a group of GOP lawmakers moved to hold him accountable under current rules and by instituting a special task force that would further delve into his alleged transgressions.

Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) | http://reparroyo.com/

Arroyo's troubles make him just the latest of a growing number of Democratic state lawmakers who now find themselves at the center of numerous ongoing federal corruption probes.

“This mandatory sentence-increase measure sends a very strong message that we cannot tolerate corruption,” McSweeney told Capitol News Illinois of House Bill 3951. “Illinois has become a national laughingstock. Citizens are sick and tired of the corruption in the General Assembly and throughout the state. We need action now, not task forces.”

McSweeney said that ethics reform should not be a partisan issue, and he is hoping the Democrat-controlled legislature will grant his bill proposal a fair chance. 

“I have been very consistent in being critical of corruption in both parties, and I believe I can be successful in working across the aisle on this,” McSweeney said. “I believe it’s time to get tough on corruption. Let’s put some teeth in the law.”