In the midst of campaign season, two Illinois lawmakers are proposing a new ethics law.
The bipartisan legislation would bar state agency directors from being in campaign ads and brochures.
State Sen. Sam McCann, a Republican from Plainview, has no opposition in the general election. But first he had to win a bruising primary.
McCann says constituents complained when the state director of agriculture, Raymond Poe, appeared in campaign material endorsing his opponent.
At the time, Poe was acting director; he later was confirmed to the post with McCann's help. McCann says that shows the proposal isn't about revenge.
"That has nothing to do with it. Obviously it called it to our attention," he said. "I think many of us were perplexed, if not shocked, that you actually could do that. That’s when we really started having the conversation. Is because, I think, again, I had constituents bring it up to me: 'How can they do this?'"
McCann says gubernatorial appointees still would be allowed to donate or volunteer for campaigns. But they could not be involved in any official capacity, and they could not allow their state job title to be used in advertising.
On McCann’s opponent’s website, Poe was not identified as an agency director; he was only named as former state representative.
Gov. Bruce Rauner's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Neither did Poe's spokeswoman.
McCann, who is co-sponsoring the bill with Democratic Sen. Andy Manar of Bunker Hill, says he hopes to pass the legislation in next month's veto session.
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