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Another federal conviction for political corruption in Illinois, another call for tougher ethics laws

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Calls for ethical reforms in Illinois government have arisen once again. Discussions about reforms are following last week’s conviction of four political insiders for bribery conspiracy involving the utility ComEd and its quest for favorable legislation from then-House Speaker Michael Madigan. Former Gov. Pat Quinn joined the discussion on Tuesday, seeking a special legislative session to prohibit voting by legislators on bills with which they have a conflict of interest and to allow taxpayers to put referendum questions on ballots. Rep. Maurice West II says he is in discussions about ethics changes but that it’s not a reaction to the verdict in the so-called ComEd 4 trial. He says he prefers cleaning up confusing or contradictory language in current laws.