Sen. Curran, the leading Senate Republican voice on last year’s bipartisan and bicameral Joint Commission on Ethics & Lobbying Reform, has been chosen to serve as the Minority Spokesperson on the Senate’s new Ethics Committee. “The Joint Commission on Ethics & Lobbying Reform had an important charge, but when COVID-19 hit, the commission stopped meeting completely,” said Sen. Curran. “Even when the requirement that meetings take place in person was removed by the Governor in a June Executive Order, the Joint Commission remained dormant. That lack of action continued even as other key state committees began meeting in person with safety precautions in place. As a result, the commission failed in its duties; the statutory-mandated deadline for a final report and policy recommendations came and went with no action by the panel. It was incredibly disappointing.”
The new Senate Ethics Committee will include 12 Senators, and together the group will hear and vet legislation that seeks to improve the ethical landscape of Illinois. “Restoring the public’s trust in state government must be a top priority this year,” added Sen. Curran. “It’s a privilege to be chosen for this important leadership position, and I’m eager to get to work.”
In addition to serving as the ranking Republican on the Ethics Committee, Sen. Curran will also serve as the Minority Spokesperson on the Senate Assignments Committee and as a member of the Health, Healthcare Access and Availability, Higher Education, Licensed Activities, and Insurance Committees.