Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago

AN OPEN LETTER TO MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
from
THE COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO

Dear Legislators:

Like many residents of our State, we are ashamed of the continuing corruption in Illinois government - not only the discreet acts of wrong doing but even more the structures and systems that allow and encourage these repeated and fundamental violations of the public trust.

We appeal strongly to you to take the unusual opportunity of this moment to enact legislation during this spring session of the General Assembly that will bring enduring integrity to our political system in Illinois.

Being aware that there is a wide array of proposals before you to accomplish the needed political reform in our State, we urge you to use the framework and recommendations of the Illinois Reform Commission as a guide. We also urge you to exercise ethical responsibility and political courage in reaching your decisions, the consequences of which will be long lasting for Illinois.

We pray that you will draw on the best of your own religious and civic values and your deepest moral convictions, to bring forth a re-formation of political life in Illinois that will bring honor, not shame, to our State now and in the future. We believe those core values and convictions demand transparency in all parts of government. We believe that voters, not moneyed interests, guide political decisions, and that strict and enforceable laws guard against corruption and violation of the democratic process.

In the few remaining weeks of this session of the General Assembly, we pledge to do everything we can, through our constituencies, to help you take the steps that are required and, on a continuing basis, to hold you accountable, not to us, but to the residents of Illinois.

Sincerely,

Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos
CHANCELLOR, GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO
PRESIDENT, COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO