KANKAKEE – In response to the Chicago Tribune article detailing troubling reports of behavior from Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, State Representative Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) released the following statement:
“When staff members approach leaders they should be able to trust and instead are delayed, failed, and even re-victimized, we must push for changes and accountability.
“Speaker Welch owes Illinois residents answers. It’s time to stop protecting political insiders and start taking real legislative action to protect Illinoisans from corruption and unethical behavior.”
House Republicans have put forward legislation Rep. Haas supports, including:
- HB 1382 would allow the Legislative Inspector General to issue subpoenas without prior approval and require the Executive and Legislative Ethics Commissions to release the reports to the public within 60 days.
- HB 1554 would prohibit the use of campaign funds for a criminal defense related to misconduct in capacity as a public official, any claims of sexual harassment, or any claims of discrimination.
- HB 1727 would suspend pension benefits to public officials if they’re charged with a felony connected to their public service, and permanently withhold these funds upon conviction.
For more information about Representative Haas, visit RepHaas.com.
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