Rep. Jeff Keicher appointed to state assembly’s legislative ethics commission

SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, has been appointed to the bicameral, bipartisan Legislative Ethics Commission by House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs.

According to a news release, the appointment was Jan. 21. The Legislative Ethics Commission is the Illinois General Assembly’s watchdog tasked with holding state lawmakers accountable for their conduct in office.

In a statement, Keicher said he was honored to serve on the committee.

“Our first and most immediate priority must be to fill the vacancy of Legislative Inspector General with a qualified, impartial investigator,” Keicher said in a news release. “It is a disappointment that this position has not been filled already. Furthermore, I believe we need to pass legislation to give the legislative inspector general’s office independent subpoena power. Restoring public trust in the state legislature after years of scandal requires the utmost transparency and putting teeth into our ethics laws and procedures.”

Rep. Keicher has been appointed to replace Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, who stepped down from the commission last week.

The commission is comprised of eight members: four state senators and four state representatives, including an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. Senator Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, is the current Chairperson of the Legislative Ethics Commission.