Issue Position: Ethics and Reform

Issue Position

Turning the Page from Rod Blagojevich and Roland Burris

Illinois deserves an experienced legislator with a proven record of reform to fight for integrity in public office. During the past several years, our state was misrepresented by corrupt politicians who served themselves instead of the people of Illinois.

It's time to set a new course. It's time for something different.

A decorated Navy combat veteran with recent service in Afghanistan and a distinguished lawmaker with a record of reform, Mark Kirk is the candidate we need to restore pride in Illinois.

Banning Pay-to-Play in Washington

In Illinois, we know how "pay-to-play" politics can destroy the fabric of democracy and ruin our state. While we need to end "pay-to-play" in Springfield, we need reform in Washington too.

Mark Kirk cosponsored legislation (H.Res. 85) to ban political contributions from earmark recipients to sponsoring members of Congress. The ban would extend to lobbyists, employees and political action committees affiliated with the earmark recipient.

Canceling Pensions for Congressional Felons

Mark Kirk is the leader in Congress fighting to cancel pensions for any member of Congress convicted of a felony. We remember the crimes committed by Dan Rostenkowski, Duke Cunningham, James Traficant and Bob Ney. Yet despite their crimes, the taxpayer continues to fund their congressional pensions. That's not right.

Congressman Kirk's Congressional Integrity and Pension Forfeiture Act would deny pensions to members convicted of any one of 21 felonies -- including income tax evasion, wire fraud, intimidation to secure contributions, and making fraudulent claims.

Backing U.S. Attorneys like Patrick Fitzgerald

Mark Kirk was the first elected official in Illinois to oppose a pardon for George Ryan. Congressman Kirk warned that pardoning Gov. Ryan would undermine U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and embolden corrupt politicians in Springfield. The following week, Rod Blagojevich was arrested.

As a U.S. Senator, Mark Kirk would make sure U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald kept his job for as along as he wanted it. Should he or his colleagues retire, Mark Kirk would seek to appoint like-minded corruption fighters to help clean up Illinois.

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