Inspector General closes “Buttongate” probe
Wednesday, Nov 9, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* At the end of the first week of veto session, Gov. Pat Quinn demanded that the General Assembly’s Inspector General investigate what the media quickly termed “Buttongate.” As you’ll recall, about 20 Democratic members were off the House floor attending one of the day’s three scheduled budget briefings when the ComEd “Smart Grid trailer bill” was called for a vote. Several opponents of the bill were voted “Yes” by others in the chamber…
“The people of Illinois, I think, back home, if they hear that their legislator was letting some staff member vote their switch, or somebody next door to them who wasn’t elected by the people back home, this is not right,” Quinn said during a stop in Normal in central Illinois on Friday. “And the legislators know this. And I think any wrongdoing there, any monkey business, needs to be investigated by the proper authority.”
* Anyway, I just received this e-mail from Inspector General Tom Homer…
I sent a letter to the Governor on Monday relative to the voting procedures on House Bill 3036. I also have provided copies of my letter to the four leaders through their respective legal counsel. In addition, I submitted my report to the Legislative Ethics Commission this morning and provided the commission members with copies of my letter to the Governor.
While I am not able to discuss the particulars, I have no plans at this time to pursue the matter further and consider it closed.
Apparently, there was no there there. No surprise. Quinn completely overreacted.
- 21st State - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 1:59 pm:
students from my legislative drafting class were in the House Gallery for the vote - no one knew then what had ‘gone down’ but it was fascinating to be talking to legislators thereafter on one wild day at the Capitol - they said 11k+ in the Rotunda that morning…
- John A Logan - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 3:03 pm:
I think there is another issue at play here that is perhaps just below the surface. I have been in the Capitol enough times during session to know that it is not the organized and thoughtful environment the general public envisions it to be. This is not illegal, but a symptom of the unprofessional tone that is set in both chambers far too often.
Did Quinn over react? Yes. Should this practice, and some others be curbed? Yes.
- Seriously??? - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 3:31 pm:
I don’t mind other recording the vote of a member, as long as it is the member’s desired vote.
- Patrick - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 3:41 pm:
Quinn overreact?! Unheard of!
- Agricola - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 3:45 pm:
Instead of howling afterwards, perhaps next time he could try talking with (not at) members before they vote…
- cynical - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 3:52 pm:
They just followed their normal voting practice. If it’s not going to be close, then they do vote each others buttons according to the party line. But if it is going to be close then the opposing party asks for a verification and everyone is satisfied. The only one who wasn’t satisfied was Quinn who was just looking for something to gripe about. The was much ado about nothing.
- mokenavince - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 4:59 pm:
How dare you! Acussing our beloved Governor of
overeacting. Not Old ready,fire,aim, Quinn you must be mixing him up with Cardinal George.
- Boone Logan Square - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 5:29 pm:
Shocking conclusion.
- Its Just Me - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 5:53 pm:
No fair! The legislature chose their own Inspector General. Where is Senator Garrett demanding a true independent inquiry?!?!?!
- Gregor - Wednesday, Nov 9, 11 @ 7:33 pm:
Quinn needs his version of Blago’s friend Jay Hoffman, to advance bills for him and be his eyes and ears on the floor. And someone like that in the Senate, too. That he doesn’t have them is astounding and suggests true ineptitude. Please, tell me I’m wrong, and he DOES have a partner-member in the House and Senate.