DeKalb Times

The recent resignation of Legislators Inspector General Carol Pope has renewed calls from lawmakers to enact ethics reform legislation.

State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Litchfield) said, “I would like to thank her for her service to the people of Illinois and I am sad to see her resignation and her term cut short. I’m grateful she has in part used this role to highlight the important changes that must be made to further empower her office and truly reform the ethics act in Illinois." 

Bourne said the watchdog's resignation ultimately benefits ethically challenged lawmakers.

"Let LIG Pope’s departure serve as a strong message to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker: Your inaction on these basic proposed reforms is protecting politicians who violate the public’s trust.”

State Rep. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) said, "I am disappointed to see her leave. She was highly qualified and very passionate about having an honest and ethical government, in which the people of Illinois could be proud."

Syverson also spoke of Pope's qualifications and lamented that she was essentially forced out by a lack of authority, saying, "Her reputation, experience and passion for an honest and ethical government, clearly made her the ideal person for this position. I think she was frustrated that she could not do the job the way she felt it needed to be done. She wanted to be part of the solution, not part of the problem."

in her resignation letter, Pope cited the legislature's inability to pass ethics reform which would give her independence. "This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority. The LIG has no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations, the position is essentially a paper tiger.”