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Illinois State Senator Don Harmon was able to get unanimous support on his ethics reform bill in the State Senate a week ago. The Chicago Tribune quoted Senator Harmon describing the passage as “a huge day” for the state and the senator noted that “the bill was narrowly drawn to avoid constitutional problems.” Yesterday the ethics bill unanimously passed the General Assembly and now goes to Governor Rod Blagojevich.

State Representative John Fritchey, the State House sponsor, wrote in his blog “Governor, Just Do the Right Thing: Sign the Bill.” The Quad-Cities Online reports Representative Fritchey also “said he doesn’t want to see any changes to the bill and vowed that both chambers of the General Assembly will override any tinkering Gov. Blagojevich does with the bill.”

From State Senator Don Harmon’s Office:

“Harmon ethics reform passes General Assembly

House Bill 824 now goes to the Governor to be signed into law

SPRINGFIELD, IL-Ethics legislation sponsored by State Senator Don Harmon (D - Oak Park) passed the Illinois General Assembly today.

The legislation, House Bill 824, was written to address Illinois’ reputation for ‘pay-to-play’ politics. The legislation prohibits contractors with the State from making a contribution to the statewide official who awarded the contract.

‘This bill has been in development a long time,’ Senator Harmon said. ‘There were a lot of challenges in getting this passed, but I am pleased to announce that it has passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly, and now we stand on the brink of seeing it become law.’

The legislation prohibits state contractors who have contracts or pending bids on contracts in excess of $50,000 with the State from making any contribution to the officeholder who let the contract. The bill also prohibits contributions to a declared challenger for that office. The prohibition lasts for the term of the incumbent officeholder or for two years after the end of the contract, whichever is longer. Violations by the contractor would void the contract. Political committees in violation of the prohibition would forfeit those contributions to the General Revenue Fund.

The legislation also requires state contractors to register with the State Board of Elections, and requires the State Board of Elections to disclose on its website all contributions contractors make to political committees, including those made by companies and people affiliated with the contractor such as subsidiaries, certain owners, key employees, and their families). The state contractor must also notify any political committee to which it contributes that it has state contracts.”