A slew of ex-state lawmakers face criminal charges, but critics question whether proposed reforms are enough for Illinois’ ‘very vibrant culture of corruption’

“While it may not be a good perception to have an office of people that aren’t working full time, I also don’t think it’s a good perception, visual, to have an office that’s closed, that the lights are out, that nobody knows when it’s open either,” Gillespie said at the hearing. “I think it’s important for our residents of Illinois to start to establish trust in their legislature if they know that this is something we’re taking this seriously.”