SPRINGFIELD – In response to news that President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement:

“I am disappointed and troubled by former Gov. Blagojevich’s early release. His crime remains a prime example of the kind of corrupt behavior we should be working to eradicate, and the commutation of his sentence signals that the federal government isn’t serious about ethics reform.

“Here in Illinois, I’m working with my fellow lawmakers to restore the public’s trust in government, and I worry that Illinoisans will see this news as a step back.

“But I am still committed to eliminating corruption and greed at all levels of government. Despite today’s frustration, I will continue my efforts to change the corrupt culture in Springfield and hold bad actors accountable for their actions. It’s time to follow through on our promises and demand ethical behavior from our elected officials.”