Ethics
Chicago Sun-Times: November 18, 2002
Author: Steve Neal
He's ready to lead. Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) has lined up the votes to be chosen as the new GOP leader of the Illinois House.
Cross, 44, a pragmatic centrist, is respected by colleagues in both parties and his selection would make him the first Illinois legislative leader born in the second half of the 20th century. By making a fresh start with Cross, Republican legislators are looking to the future.
His chief rival, Rep. Art Tenhouse (R-Liberty), who turns 52 next month, is backed by the retiring House Minority Leader Lee A. Daniels (R-Elmhurst), 60, who is stepping down under the cloud of a federal investigation. On his own, Tenhouse could make a strong run for leader. But Daniels' did him a disservice by holding out the possibility that he might seek re-election. By the time Daniels pulled out, Cross already had the votes. Tenhouse is a thoughtful conservative of integrity and character. But Daniels' clumsy intervention in the leadership fight has alienated legislators who might otherwise have been supportive of Tenhouse.
Retiring GOP Gov. Ryan, who is also the target of a federal investigation, is backing Tenhouse over Cross. Retiring state Sen. Patrick O'Malley (R-Palos Park), the conservative who finished second in the GOP gubernatorial primary, has endorsed Tenhouse. It is ironic that O'Malley, who is among Ryan's more outspoken critics, is aligned with Ryan in his opposition to Cross. O'Malley, who savaged Ryan in commercials last winter and portrayed himself a s a reformer, is opposing the reform candidate for House leadership.
Jack Roeser, the right-wing crackpot, who has denounced the last three GOP governors, is now attacking Cross. O'Malley and Roeser, who have done much to disrupt their party, are without influence in the House GOP caucus and have enhanced Cross with the voting public with their opposition to his promotion.
The Cross challenge prompted Daniels to announce his retirement as leader. There is no doubt that Cross would have overwhelmed Daniels in the GOP caucus. But it took courage for Cross, state Representatives Eileen Lyons (R-Western Springs), Brent Hassert (R-Romeoville), Renée Kosel (R-New Lenox) and their colleagues to step up and demand new leadership.
This GOP reform movement began last spring. The federal probe of alleged misuse of state employees on legislative races was the catalyst for this initiative by Republican lawmakers concerned about their party's future.
The reform group, which includes moderates and conservatives, sought to address legal and ethical issues. Members of this group sponsored legislation to prohibit the use of state resources in political campaigns. This group also asked for an accounting of House Republican Campaign Committee expenditures and also sought details regarding allegations about the misuse of state resources in political races.
Daniels stalled and stonewalled legislators who were asking legitimate questions. The reform group was advised by a Daniels associate that the use of state resources on political campaigns was legal. Daniels refused to allow an accounting of House Republican Campaign Committee expenditures and threatened to punish legislators in the reform group. The last time that Daniels faced a serious challenge, he retaliated against members of his own party.
By last summer, Daniels made it known that he would give no consideration to issues raised by the reform group. But these legislators forged a coalition to draft rules that would guarantee participation in all legislative questions faced by the caucus, empower legislators to respond to questions about accounting, fund-raising, or ethical abuses, and provide new leadership untainted by statehouse scandals.
In a letter to Daniels last summer, GOP legislators wrote: "The allegations that the GOP Minority Leader's staff has been used for non-government purposes and the investigation by the United States Department of Justice is momentous. We are also troubled by a possible connection to the alleged lapses that are the subject of the federal probe, Operation Safe Road . A failure at this critical juncture to express our deep opposition to the alleged use of government resources may indicate that Republicans in Illinois have lost their traditional emphasis on ethical government and ethical campaigning.
Implicit in your stepping down as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party was your acknowledgement of these facts. These same allegations are even more detrimental in your capacity to continue unencumbered as our House Republican Leader."
"We therefore strongly urge you to resign from the position of Minority Leader. We believe that your sacrifice will enable you to fully vindicate yourself regarding the allegations of inappropriate staff use. Failure to do this would result in long-term damage to our caucus."
Daniels' withdrawal from the leadership was a positive step. He should quit obstructing the will of his party's caucus and allow the House GOP to rebuild with Cross at the helm.
State Rep. Tom Cross, 44, a pragmatic centrist, is respected by colleagues in both parties. By selecting him as House minority leader, Republicans could make a fresh start.
Associated Press
Copyright 2002 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc
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