Ethics, Collins, Edgar and Bo Derek

In today’s paper we look back at last year’s ethics reform efforts and note that far greater dealmakers than Patrick Collins had to settle for less than the ideal.

Gov. Jim Edgar’s education tax plan was backed by House Speaker Michael Madigan, Mayor Daley and routinely drew thousands to rally on the Capitol lawn. But it was blocked essentially by one person – then-Senate President James “Pate” Philip -- and Edgar was forced to revamp the plan.

Edgar does, however, hold the early lead for quote of the week for this retrospective quote on the matter:

"As governor, I used to wonder sometimes why we need to have the legislature. I always knew I was right and they were wrong. But the reality is you have to deal with them. You're going to make your job much more difficult if you don't realize that."

Gov. George Ryan’s death penalty commission spent two years studying reforms before publishing its report. But even the likes of former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon couldn’t win full support of all the recommendations. Many were adopted. U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, a Wheaton Republican and former state lawmaker, has been recounting those negotiations lately to signify how President Obama, also a former Illinois state lawmaker, used to be one to roll up his sleeves to find compromise on key issues. Obama and Roskam were among those working on death penalty reform in Springfield.

And that brings us to Bo Derek.

She came to the Capitol a few years ago to lobby lawmakers on animal rights legislation. The men of the General Assembly flocked to a reception one evening to have their pictures taken with the former sex kitten of the silver screen only to turn around the very next day and vote down her legislation.

If Jim Edgar, George Ryan and Bo Derek couldn't get what they wanted, what chance did Collins have -- who brought neither the political nor physical measurements of the aforementioned to the debate.