Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) criticized Democrats for failing to enact meaningful ethics reform during the recent legislative session.

One of Mazzochi's fellow state legislators, Thaddeus Jones (D-Crete), is under federal investigation for tax-related campaign fund issues, according to the Chicago Tribune. Jones is a state representative and mayor of Calumet City.

The U.S. attorney's office issued a subpoena on Jan. 7 requesting records on Jones' campaign funds dating back to 2015, the Chicago Tribune reported. A grand jury is seeking records of emails and other communications related to the funds. Jones has not been charged with a crime.

"Another lawmaker under federal investigation, and yet zero efforts were made by the majority party this session to address government corruption and ethics," Mazzochi said in an April Facebook post.

Jones represents Illinois' 29th district. He studied criminal justice at Loyola University before becoming alderman of Calumet City's Third Ward, according to the General Assembly website. He was first elected as a state representative in 2011.

Mazzochi repeatedly called for ethics reform throughout the last legislative session, especially after the indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan (D), according to Dupage Policy Journal. Mazzochi said in March that it was baffling to her that Democrats "can justify denying a vote on commonsense ethical reforms for state legislators."