In Illinois, it seems that it is par for the course to be both a state lawmaker and a lobbyist at the same time.
If this seems morally reprehensible to you, remember that this is Illinois we’re talking about, which is a state where four out of their seven governors from 1961 were embroiled in some type of legal trouble that either forced them to get indicted, resign, or even serve prison time.
Unfortunately, as the following example suggests, the corruption isn’t just limited to Illinois’ highest offices.
According to local outlets, in June, Chicago State Senator Luis Arroyo told one of his unnamed colleagues that he had “the jackpot” and tried to pass him $2,500 under the table.
However, there was just one problem.
This unnamed colleague that Mr. Arroyo was attempting to bribe?
Turns out he was an FBI informant.
It is just another example a corrupt Democrat thinking that he or she is above the law.
It gets even messier for Mr. Arroyo, though, especially when you consider the fact that he was going to keep paying off this other state senator more funds each month for at least a year as long as he supported some costly gambling bills on behalf of Arroyo’s lobbying client.
Apparently, no one in Illinois politics has learned anything from George Ryan or Blago, and it doesn’t look too promising that they will.