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Lake County Gazette

Monday, August 4, 2025

Wilcox urges voters to sign legislative reform petition: 'Corruption is now the core issue in Illinois'

Craig

State Sen. Craig Wilcox | Contributed photo

State Sen. Craig Wilcox | Contributed photo

State Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) is among a growing number of GOP legislators urging voters to demand a series of anti-corruption measures in Springfield.

“Corruption is now the core issue in Illinois,” Wilcox told the Lake County Gazette. “Every major issue in the state right now in some way has a direct tie to corruption.”

With that in mind, Wilcox is pushing voters to sign a petition calling for the measures to be granted a public hearing before the full General Assembly. Among the proposals being touted is Senate Bill 4012, which would allow the attorney general the authority to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate, indict and prosecute bribery and misconduct by members of the legislature. Another measure, SB 4014, would pave the way for the legislative inspector general to be able investigate to members of the legislature without having to seek approval from the Legislative Ethics Commission.

“Republican positions have been out there for a while now and we’ve had bills on every issue Democrats are now just talking about,” Wilcox added. “They need to stand up and have the courage to have their leadership call these bills to be heard.”

Currently, longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan finds himself at the center of an ongoing federal corruption probe involving ComEd and a pay-for-play scheme in which all the perks are reported to have been steered to him in exchange for favorable legislation. Wilcox said for the kind of change to come to Springfield that he believes is truly needed he can only hope the days of the state’s longest-tenured lawmaker are now numbered.  

“I’m optimistic it could happen,” he said. “Although we all have to recognize and concede he has a nearly four decade head start on everyone." 

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