The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is developing a conference on ethics and politics in Illinois.
The institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale plans to examine the state's troubled history of corrupt behavior by public officials. The conference will look at the best practices used in other states, and compare them with Illinois. Institute director David Yepsen says Illinois is a laughingstock. He says Illinois’ ethical problems do not make it an attractive place to do business. Yepsen says he worries that unless Illinois changes its ethical climate it’s going to limit the state’s ability to grow.
Yepsen says the conference will feature keynote speakers and 3 or 4 panels covering topics including judicial and campaign finance reform, legislative term limits, and more. The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s conference on Ethics and Politics in Illinois will be September 27th and 28th in Chicago.
Yepsen would also like to hold conferences in Springfield and in southern Illinois. More information is available on line at www.paulsimoninstitute.org.
