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* From former acting legislative inspector general Julie Porter back in April…
My term ended Feb. 28, 2019, and this month — as required by law — the new LIG and the commission presented their quarterly reports to the General Assembly. The quarterly reports are hard to read and do not convey much information. But a careful look reveals that near the end of my term, I issued a founded summary report — a report where I found that a legislator engaged in wrongdoing — that was not published. I requested publication, and the commission refused.
Also buried in the numbers is a second founded summary report that I requested to be published; the new LIG chose to close the case.
* I told subscribers about this dustup earlier today. Here’s the Daily Herald…
Accusations flew among state Republicans Tuesday after a suburban lawmaker called for an investigation of Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin’s organization over a “buried” misconduct report.
A representative for Durkin called the comments off-base.
* Excerpt from Rep. David McSweeney’s press release early this morning…
Leader Jim Durkin has had an opportunity to be a statesman and take the bold step of rooting out corruption and wrongdoing in his own caucus. It is easy to be for ethics when the other party is under fire - it is not so easy when it potentially involves your own party. Leader Durkin is being tested and, so far, he is miserably failing that test. I’m willing to stand up against misconduct on both sides of the aisle. […]
In Springfield, there are insiders and then there are real insiders. Legislative leaders, by virtue of their position as leaders, are privy to information that most rank and file members simply do not have. I believe that Leader Jim Durkin is aware of the founded misconduct that Porter is referring to and that it likely involves a Republican House member.
Even if the buried report is about a Democrat, Durkin very likely has access to the information. Two members of Durkin’s leadership team are on the Legislative Ethics Commission, with one serving as the chairman of the commission. It is highly doubtful that Leader Durkin is truly in the dark about this situation.
* Response from House Republican spokesperson Eleni Demertzis…
The House Republicans have addressed each and every allegation of abuse and misconduct swiftly and publicly. We will continue to ensure a safe workplace for all staff and employees. This is just more ramblings from someone who hasn’t even taken the time to show up for caucus in the last 5 years.
* Back to the Daily Herald…
McSweeney said Durkin likely is aware of who the legislator is and that “Leader Durkin is being tested and, so far, he is miserably failing that test.”
Demertzis countered that “the [Legislative Ethics Commission] is an independent body that the legislative leaders have no involvement with. That’s why Rep McSweeney’s statements are once again not based in fact,” she said.
…Adding… Grant usually lashes out at Democrats on the Twitter machine…
Nothing is buried Rep McSweeney. House Republicans moved swiftly on issues of unethical behavior. Auditor General Mautino, Sen T Cullerton and former Clerk of the House & Madigan capo Tim Mapes all under investigation yet you are silent where actual bad behavior exists? https://t.co/coNacWo3tj
— Grant Wehrli (@GrantWehrli) September 3, 2019
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 3:55 pm
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Who doesn’t enjoy watching self-immolation
Comment by Morty Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 4:18 pm
Only Wehlri can make the Circular Firing Squad about Mautino, LOL
His twitter is truly Mad Libs… to own the libs.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 4:28 pm
The far-right wing should leave Durkie alone. The dude helped negotiate a capital bill, pro-business reforms and voted for a budget. These are things needed for the ILGOP to show voters they’re for something instead of not governing and constantly opposing.
He did a lot of good this year and ought to get something nice from Santa.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 4:36 pm
Grant Wherli- If he talks about it you know it is a nothing burger.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 4:38 pm
Representative Wehrli, with all due respect, Rep. McSweeney may he accused of a great many things, but being “silent” about anything is not one of them.
Also, accusing him of being silent about alleged Democratic wrongdoings by retweeting his comments about said alleged Democratic wrongdoings is not especially compelling.
Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 4:41 pm
The difference between the way House Republican Representatives and House Democratic Representatives treat their caucus leader in public is amazing.
Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 4:49 pm
McSweeney is irrelevant legislatively, does not participate in the Republican Caucus at all, and is a serial headline seeker.
McSweeney is a Republican team player in the same manner that Scott Drury was as a Democrat.
Comment by Say What? Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 5:03 pm
=This is just more ramblings from someone who hasn’t even taken the time to show up for caucus in the last 5 years.=
=That’s why Rep McSweeney’s statements are once again not based in fact=
Top level snark.
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 5:19 pm
I wish the general narrative wasn’t about McSweeney vs Durkin, and was actually about why the ethics commission is covering up founded reports.
Comment by JoeMaddon Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 5:30 pm
So don’t miss the forest while driving by those pretty trees, folks.
Former LIG Porter asked that two “founded” misconduct reports be published. They were not, as decided by obviously powerful insiders.
McSweeney is correct in shining a light on this. Non-insiders, like those that elect these people, have some skin in this game, too.
So much for the #metoo movement in Springfield. I feel badly for the victims that came forward, for nothing.
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 5:44 pm
McSweeney literally blasts about authorities cracking down on corrupt Dems, then Wehrli says why aren’t you talking about Dems? You used his tweet to beat your own argument? Smh
Doesn’t Durkin have anyone else good at the trolling game?
Comment by Dupage Bard Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 6:40 pm
Ole McSweeney… the same person who filed a complaint against a staffer that was working against him. Did he file some complaint against a colleague? The man is truly transparent. Keep in mind this is the same legislator that disclosed he has Tesla stock on his economic interest, yet voted against the capital bill. Shouldn’t someone as ethical as McSweeney have voted present (you know there was a fee increase for electric vehicle in the bill).
Comment by {Sigh} Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 7:03 pm
Please click on the Daily Herald link to enjoy this special headline, “Suburban Republicans butt heads….”. Some stories just write themselves. Oy.
Comment by Parti Poodle Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 8:40 pm
Real question when did much of anyone really care what McSweeny says. He has been in the GA what several years what has he accomplished ? passed anything meaningful that comes to mind?
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 10:33 pm
So is anyone going to name the legislators who are the subject of the IG’s reports, or what?
Comment by Quibbler Tuesday, Sep 3, 19 @ 11:28 pm
Joemadden. One would hope that the ethics violations would be of concern. But we considtantly ignore those things when we vote.
Comment by Generic Drone Wednesday, Sep 4, 19 @ 12:37 am