Illinois Ethics: Blagojevich prison sentence, Jackson Jr. investigated, & Emanuel’s task force

Blagojevich gets 14 year prison sentence
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich received a 14 year prison sentence after being convicted of attempting to sell a US Senate appointment, lying to federal agents, and illegally soliciting campaign contributions. Blagojevich apologized to the court and to the people of Illinois for his actions, and accepted the jury’s verdict.

Network partner Illinois Campaign for Political Reform’s executive director Brian Gladstein issued a statement on the sentencing, saying that other elected officials must “take notice” of the 14 year sentence given to Blagojevich. Additionally, Gladstein said, the state cannot continue to just prosecute officials after they abuse the law, but rather, changes should be made in terms of transparency, public financing, disclosure rules, and other systemic changes to help stop corruption before it starts.

Chicago Tribune: Blagojevich gets 14 years
Illinois Campaign for Political Reform: Statement on Blagojevich sentencing

The Chicago Tribune has also put together a timeline of the Rod Blagojevich scandal on their website.

Chicago Tribune: How we got here

House ethics panel will continue Jackson investigation
The Office of Congressional Ethics has been investigating Illinois representative Jesse Jackson Jr., and has announced that their investigation will continue. They found “probable cause” to believe that Jackson knew of a plan for a fundraiser to contact then-Governor Rod Blagojevich about appointment to a vacant US Senate seat in 2008.

Chicago Sun-Times: Rep. Jackson probe will continue, House ethics panel says

Mayor Emanuel establishes ethics task force
Cindi Canary, former executive director of Network partner Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, as well Dawn Clark Netsh, an ICPR board member, have been named to a city of Chicago ethics panel by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Ethics Reform Task Force will aim to create a better system through different means, including stronger enforcement rules, transparency, and reigning in lobbyists.

Chicago Tribune: Chicago to study ethics ordinance
Chicago Sun-Times: Emanuel names four reformers to revamp city ethics code