Oberweis Evasive on Ethics

Tribune editorial this morning:

This year, Roeser's candidate for governor is dairy owner Jim Oberweis, one of four major contenders for the Republican nomination. Last year, Oberweis got more than $190,000 in campaign cash from Roeser and his group. Oberweis also hired Joe Wiegand--the guy who dressed up in the chicken suit--as his campaign manager. This year, Wiegand is favoring business attire.

Oberweis has made ethics reform a centerpiece of his campaign, as have the other candidates. Yet he won't criticize Roeser for running up such a big list of fines by ignoring election laws.

And Oberweis would not commit to a ban on state employees' donations to candidates.

Oberweis was the only candidate in the Republican field who expressed reservations about banning state employees from donating to candidates.

Many elected officials voluntarily have pledged not to take money from their employees after allegations arose that employees in Ryan's office when he was secretary of state felt forced to donate to him to keep their jobs.