McHenry Times

State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) hopes the way Democrats have dragged their feet on ethics reform sends a message to voters this year.

“I think they need to be paying attention to who has spoken out on the issue as well as what sort of things seem to be most important to the democrats,” Ugaste told the McHenry Times. “That should tell voters who’s serious about making change and who’s willing to just go along with the status quo.”

Ugaste argues the way Democrats have handled the still unfolding federal corruption probe involving House Speaker Mike Madigan just adds another layer to the controversy.

After nearly four decades of being in control in Springfield, Madigan now finds himself at the center of an unfolding federal corruption probe involving ComEd. Federal prosecutors contend the company engaged in a “years-long bribery scheme” involving jobs, contracts and payments that were steered to him in his role as house speaker and chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party.

To date, no charges have been filed against the state’s longest-serving lawmaker, but prosecutors have not been shy in asserting that the utility giant sought to “influence and reward” Madigan by providing financial benefits to those directly tied to him.

“The silence speaks volumes,” Ugaste added. “I think when you’re a leader in government you have to live up to higher standards and when there are this many repeated situations that call into question ethical standards at some point you have to be willing to take ownership.”

Ugaste argues things have become so disjointed in Springfield that many lawmakers place their allegiance to Madigan over their duty to their constituents.

“No one in government should be beholden to any one person,” he said “The people are the ones who send us to Springfield and it’s our obligation to represent their interests and not worry about other things.”