Take heed, ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich wannabes. State lawmakers could take away your retirement paydays.
The House voted 111-1 today for House Bill 5818, which would strip state pension benefits from any statewide constitutional officer impeached and removed from office.
That's exactly what happened to Blagojevich, who was booted by lawmakers in January 2009 and faces a corruption trial this summer. But the measure won't cover him -- it would only apply to officials going forward upon becoming law.
Blagojevich could still lose his pension benefits. Former Republican Gov. George Ryan lost a court battle recently over retirement funding after his conviction on federal corruption charges.
Lawmakers questioned whether the measure would be less effective because officials could simply resign before being impeached and still keep their pensions, and said it could be unfair to wipe out a career of work for one wrong act.
"How many of us actively set out to do wrong?" said Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan. "Should the clock just cover everything, irregardless?"
But sponsoring Rep. Keith Farnham, D-Elgin, argued it was key to send the right message about corruption being intolerable.
"I think it should be a big issue for all of us," Farnham said. "Going forward, this makes a statement."
The measure now heads to the Senate.
State Capitol Bureau
