Illinois lawmaker pushes local reform after Trump becomes convicted felon

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s felony conviction, Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford is calling for a review of local election laws governing who can run for public office.

Currently, Illinois prohibits individuals with felony convictions from running for certain local offices, such as mayor or trustee. However, no such restrictions exist for state or federal positions, including the presidency.

Rep. Ford believes this inconsistency needs to be addressed.

"I’ve had the opportunity to meet many impacted individuals who have chosen a better path forward, have worked hard and want to help their home community with their unique perspective. We should be encouraging such people to be civically engaged. Instead of continuing to have an inconsistent patchwork of standards, let’s create a better system that embraces different experiences and gives voters greater choice," Ford said in a statement.

On Friday, Ford announced he would be filing the legislation. It came on the same day Trump was sentenced in his hush money case.

Despite efforts to have the case dismissed, Judge Juan Merchan handed down a sentence of "unconditional discharge," meaning Trump will face no jail time or additional punishment beyond having a felony conviction on his record.

Trump’s sentencing comes just 10 days before he is set to take office on Jan. 20, making him the first U.S. president to assume office with a criminal conviction.