U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk are introducing two bills today aimed at thwarting political corruption; one of which would reinstall the Honest Services statute.

From a press release:

The State Ethics Law Protection Act (SELPA) will allow states such as Illinois to ban pay-to-play practices in highway contacting. In 2009, Illinois was forced to remove highway contracting from its pay-to-play ban because the Federal government threatened to withhold highway funding. SELPA was introduced by Quigley and co-sponsored by then Representative Kirk in the 111th Congress, and passed the House of Representatives.

The Honest Services statute was used to convict former governor George Ryan, but was narrowed by the Supreme Court last year and no longer includes a fraud provision for undisclosed conflicts of interest resulting in personal financial gain.  Former governor Rod Blagojevich was charged under the provision, but it was dropped following the Court’s ruling.