Rockford Sun

State Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) is urging Republicans to back the Reimagine Illinois platform which calls for policy reforms and less government.

After the November election, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin tasked Chesney and his fellow members of the Illinois House Republican caucus to work together to develop a path toward a better Illinois. The comprehensive Reimagine Illinois public policy platform is the result of those efforts.

"In the same way the Contract with America helped Congressional Republicans communicate a leading vision of conservative values in 1994, the Reimagine Illinois platform makes it clear the Illinois House Republicans will not simply be the party of “no,” but rather we are turning words into action with over 80 plus meaningful reform bills proposed this session, Chesney said in a statement.

This call for reform seeks to address the issue of corruption in the state's government. According to research by the University of Illinois-Chicago, Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, reported Illinois Policy.

"I am proud to be part of a caucus which is working toward solutions to the problems facing Illinoisans and not simply catering to special interests," Chesney said. "Things have definitely gotten off on the wrong track in Illinois. If we want to succeed in changing that, we must lead with strong ideas and work to build consensus around those ideas."

The platform will seek reform focused on four points: ending the culture of corruption, responsible fiscal leadership, growing jobs and opportunities for families, and ensuring public safety.

"These proposals are realistic and common-sense policies that reimagine Illinois as a destination to live, work, play. I call on my Democrat counterparts to sincerely consider the platform we are proposing as a path forward toward restoring trust with taxpayers who are, frankly, sick and tired of being sick and tired in Illinois."

Corruption potentially goes all the way to the top levels of state government. Illinois Policy reported that Gov. J.B. Pritzker and members of his family are currently under federal investigation for tax schemes.

Former longstanding House Speaker Michael Madigan recently stepped down from his position as he was implicated in a bribery investigation, according to The Hill and remains under an ongoing federal investigation.

The state loses more than $550 million annually from corruption, according to Illinois Policy.