Freshman lawmaker asks $64,000 ethics question

Illinois Sen. Dan Duff, R-Lake Barrington, posed a question during the Blagojevich impeachment hearing that has puzzled many people across the nation:

"How is it that the majority in this chamber, the same people who have presented this case reflecting years of corruption, are the same people that have praised the governor by giving him three pay raises over the past two years?"

Duffy posed his question in the waning moments of Blago's trial. Duffy primarily targeted Senate Democrats who supported Blago's election re-bid and his various programs. But some Republicans will also have to take note of Duffy's reminder. The state lawmakers who supported Blagojevich will be marked men in the 2010 campaigns. Election opponents - both primary and general election - will surely bring up any hint of political shenanigans that has the stench of Blagojevich on it.

Duffy had no fear in making his presence known in the Senate in his first speech. He told the Daily Herald:

My speech and my comments were about corruption. I ran on a campaign platform that I feel very passionate about, (which) is ending any type of corruption in Illinois politics, and that's what I talked about. It wasn't a Democratic thing. It wasn't a Republican thing. It was a corruption thing. I think we need more transparency in government. And we need to do everything we can to end any type of corruption that's going on right now in our government.

Illinois needs more lawmakers like Duffy. He plainly addressed a severe problem in Illinois - a problem that's long been given the old "wink and nod" act. But now that Blagojevich has brought shame to the state of Illinois politics, it will take men like Duffy to bring some sunshine to the ship of state in Springfield. Keep telling it like it is Sen. Duffy!