Of Felons-Legislative & Aldermanic

So, folks are all upset that two ex-felons, convicted of some sort of misconduct relating to their office as Chicago Alderman, are running for election.

And, two Cook County judges say, “No problem. If they can run for the legislature, they can run for city council.”

Now the Illinois Supreme Court has taken up the case.

For those who don’t remember, the original bill excluded all ex-felons from holding office, didn't it?

Then, someone figured out that, dah, it would keep a fellow state representative, Coy Pugh from running for re-election.

Then, someone figured out that, dah, it would keep a fellow state representative, Coy Pugh from running for re-election.

Previously he had served time in state prison, but not for committing crimes while a public official. When freshmen legislators visited Pontiac in 1993, inmates were shouting, “Hi, Coy!”

Pugh went on the study for the ministry.

The Illinois General Assembly has been called many things, but “non-representative” is not one of them. Folks from all of the power structures in Illinois have their representatives.

It seems to me that there are enough ex-felons in Illinois that allowing them to run for at least legislative office probably adds something valuable to legislative considerations.

Originally posted on McHenry County Blog.