A new Illinois ethics law, which prohibits lobbyists from serving on state boards and commissions, appears to have pushed a former state legislator into resigning from the DuPage Airport Authority Board.
Former state Rep. Jack Kubik, 48, of Darien gave up his $10,000-year seat on the Airport Authority Board rather than quit his work as a registered lobbyist. He had served on the airport board since late 2002.
The authority is the government agency that operates the busy general aviation airport in West Chicago.
The new ethics measure, prompted by a series of scandals that have rocked state government, was signed into law last month by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. One provision bans lobbyists or their spouses from sitting on any state boards, commissions or task forces.
“As a registered lobbyist, this new provision in the law appears to prohibit my service on the DuPage Airport Authority Board of Commissioners,” Kubik wrote in a letter last week to DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom.
“While there is absolutely no conflict of interest between my private business and my service on the board of commissioners, I believe it is best for all concerned if I resign from the authority.”
Kubik was a state representative from 1985 to 1998. He has headed his own lobbying firm since October 2001. He also is a former executive director of the Illinois Racing Board.
Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Kubik’s term on the airport board would have expired Jan. 29.
The authority is a quasi-independent agency, but its nine-member board is appointed by the County Board chairman.
A spokesman for Schillerstrom said Kubik’s resignation was “unfortunate.”
Daniel Goodwin, chairman of the airport board, said he supports the intent of the new law, but added that, “In the case of the airport, Jack was making a significant contribution, and none of us saw any problem.”
Some lobbyists serving on state boards had resigned in advance of the law. Among the casualties was Victor Reyes, a former senior aide to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. Reyes stepped down in December as a member of the Chicago Transit Authority Board rather than quit the lobbying work he does as a lawyer in private practice.
In DuPage, lawyer and lobbyist John Janicik announced earlier this month that he was resigning from the DuPage Water Commission.
Others, who want to continue their service on boards and commissions, have removed themselves from the state’s list of registered lobbyists.
