Story posted Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Crackdown Try On Corrupt Officials
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
Comparing influence peddling by public officials to drug dealing, State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-33rd) of Park Ridge reintroduced a bill to hit corrupt public officials where it would hurt most: the wallet.
Had that law passed last year it could have hit former Niles Mayor Nick Blase hard.
The proposed Public Corruption Profit Forfeiture Act would seize the assets of corrupt public officials the same way drug dealers' assets are seized by law enforcement and would redistribute them to the law enforcement agencies working to clean up public corruption.
A 2009 University of Illinois study found Cook County taxpayers paid an estimated $300 million since 1970 in unnecessary added costs, law enforcement costs, outright theft and lost business.
"We need to send a message, once and for all, that the people of Illinois will not tolerate corrupt public officials," said Kotowski, whose district includes parts of Des Plaines, Park Ridge Niles and Rosemont. "People should be able to trust their elected representatives, and anyone who abuses that sacred trust should suffer the consequences."
The bill passed the Illinois Senate last year but failed in the Illinois House. Kotowski said the bill has a better chance of passing the House this year.
Public officials convicted of corruption would have "any and all profit derived from corrupt activity" sized and given to Illinois law enforcement agencies participating in the prosecution of those crimes under Kotowski's proposed legislation. Additionally public officials would forfeit all campaign committee funds.
Blase pled guilty to federal corruption charges that included earning kickbacks from the use of his office as mayor.
Federal prosecutors said Blase earned $421,500 in kickbacks over a decade long period in a scheme to strong-arm Niles businesses to buy insurance policies with Ralph Weiner & Associates insurance company.
Blase is scheduled to start serving his sentence Mar. 1.
The 33rd State Senate district covers portions of Arlington Hts., Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Mt. Prospect, Niles, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg.
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