Kendall County Times

In a May 15 Facebook post, State Rep. Jed Davis (R-Newark) discussed the need for ethics reform.

"There is no reason we can't pass sweeping ethics reform measures today," he wrote. "It's time for Democrats to stop dragging their feet on ethics and join us in stamping out corruption in Illinois.

 In his Facebook post, Davis shared a link to an Illinois Policy story that focused on the steps legislators in Springfield could take to erase corruption in the state.

The article recommended ending the "revolving door" of lawmakers who become lobbyists; increasing the powers of the Legislative Inspector General; ending lawmakers from lobbying local governments; and enforcing lawmakers’ conflict- of interest rules.               

The trial of the "Com Ed 4" included individuals connected to former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who was indicted in the same situation and faces trial next year, WGN reported.  The trial focused on two former ComEd executives, a former utility consultant and a longtime government insider who arranged contracts, jobs and money for associates of then-Speaker Madigan — once one of the nation’s most powerful legislators — to ensure proposed bills boosting ComEd profits became law, the station said.

 According to the Illinois Secretary of State's web page, the Illinois statute governing conflicts of interest prohibits any public official from having any interest  "in any contract or the performance of any work in the making or letting of which such officers may be called upon to act or vote."

 The statute also prohibits accepting or offering to receive money or anything of value as a gift, bribe, or means of influence. Board members may also not serve simultaneously in two governmental positions that are "incompatible." Board members may not accept or solicit bribes of tender, property, or personal advantage that influences the performance of the public officer’s duties. Board members who commit official misconduct, defined as knowingly performing an act forbidden by law or failure to perform mandatory duties, are subject to felony charges."                

Davis has represented the 75th District since January. He was raised in Lisbon, Illinois, where he attended Lisbon Grade School and Newark Community High School. He received a BS in Civil Engineering from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana.