APR. 20. 2007 11:24AM Chicago is Ready for Reform By Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. Infamous Chicago saloonkeeper/aldennan Paddy Bauler femously proclaimed “Chicago ain't ready for reform.” Fitty years later, ite appears to have changed, ust tead any newspaper, any da. Chicago is the cradle of poltical comuption, Look at this year's ballot for City Counoll. Four former aldermen who did prison time for public corruption are running again. One Incumbent candidate faces felony charges, and another soon mmaiy. Mayor Daley looks unstoppatble for sixth ‘term even as many ot his top aides sit in prison or await tial. All the while, convicted omicials who stole from the Public treasury collect city pensions; crooked ‘contractors continue to recelve no-work deals; and ward bosses line their pockets while working in the shadows. Corruption hurts all Chicagoans because texpayere foot the bill for evary case of fraud, corruption and abuse. That cost adds up to hundreds of mitions of collars @ year. Incredibly, much of this comupt activity is “playing ny the rules” of Chicago politics. Which means one thing: The rules need a serious rewrite, | propose along with 2 numbé of aldermanic candidates running in the February 27th Municipal Elections a sweeping 10-point ethics paokeae for ty gavernmant. These naw rules would level tha playing field for candidates; dapoliticize public service; reduce the influenoe of money and ‘special interests; and shite @ light on backroom deabinaking. ‘The first reforms must deal with campaign finenoe, ‘Under the current system, Incumbents hold all the cards because, as Ald, Arenda Troutman boldly pronounced before being indicted: *You want the alderman's support? You pay the alderman. The city needs to limit contributions. Most people cannot affard to give $100,000 to 2 candidate. “instead of the people they represent. Veters can “Those who can, do, and ne doubi buy access, By limiting contributions to $7,009 per individual and ‘$5,000 per PAG, the pleying field would level between incumbents andl challengers, and pay-to- play politics would be curtailed. Other reforms must deal with consequences. Anyone convicted of a felony should: 1) Lose pension benefits 2) Forfeit the right to seek olfice egal. Eighteen alderman heve bosh convicted of crimes sinos 1980. As one newspaper wrote, there should be no revolving door between the penitentiary and the Chicago City Council. ‘Several cther changes make commen sense. End mayoral eppointments. The mayor should no longer appoint replacements tor aldermen who resign or go to prison, Too often the mayor's handpicked alderman are beholden to the mayor ‘walt unti the next election and eclact thoir own alderman. Increase transparency. All City Gounail and committee meetings should be televised on the ‘et oF cable, and all votes should be posted on @ website. Expand intemal oversigt. The cys Inspector General's reach should include jurtsletion over aldermen and city councii employees. Open the legislative process. All proposed legislation should be dehated In committes within ‘lx weeks of introduation or the measure automatically goes to the full Gity Council for ‘conisideration. Under current rutes, too mary good proposals end up burfed in commie, forever. ‘These changes, if implemented, would go a long ‘oward ending corruption, stopping the gravy tain for insiders, and putting city government back into ‘the hands of the people, where it belongs. Himay even keep a few aldermen out of jel.APR. 2 ). 2007 11: 248M Introducing the Kenny Johnson City Council Ethics Reform Package ‘Chicggo government. time to put an end tothe ory train of paltical patronage and put city government back inthe hands ofthe penale, These ethics reform Intiatves were formulated witn Congressman Jesse Jackson J. 2s a fist step towards rooting out coruation in cca Goverment, 4 ‘wermanic candidate Kenny Jonnson is serous about bringing real etnies reform to bulking pei, orc cantact. Limi al carmpaign contributions to mayoral city clerk, ty treasurer and ‘aldermanic camoaign fo $1,000 per Indvcual and $5,000 per coticl °° ofon committe. The sare lis vould apply ta In-kind contoutions. ampaign coiroutons from business fms Gr abor union, although “plsbiegdng labor PAGS cen contribute. Curent campaign finance rules, alow unite, onions, fro ‘ncividuals anc businesses. Fon }3.~ Prevent ay offical, ‘ng ‘deren, from collecting city pension i convicted of fetony related to their public dues. + REFORM 4 “= Piste aldermen or other elected city oftials from running for any cy ofce i ifomicted of a felony rotated to their pub ig, REFORMS - ibis major angeles ‘or aldermen who tie creo, l REFORM 6 ~ Give sea Serer uns over aden 2na ey acu FORM 7 = Reduce ihe alibi oro ‘cnmitees rom 27-810) require ther meetat east 10 bmas a year and post agertdas of proposed ‘Weak it evi if estngson the City Clerks Web att User onslderecby a commie with ‘8x weeks of Intioguotion shal itomatically go tothe floor of the council for ciebate and a vote without havi io 24882 mation to discharge the sean ‘whlch currantly requires 2 2/3 majority vote. REFORM 8 ~ ee political minority factions in the city coundto'ahoit at least one staff ct ramegit and provide Information ta the’ manor on echt 22,25 |s done it the 8. S Congres ard Mlinals \egleatue REFORM 9 ~ Post he ie i iia zor to te ene tor yar ter of te ity coun all admit aripalge contributions, and attendance at ety council committee meetin nf cy clerk's Webr ite. x, REFORM 10 ~ Broadcast al cty counell mestings (cluding committee meetings] on cable “WV and the internet.