* Gov. Rauner signed SB402 today, which, among other things, adds a prohibition of sexual harassment to the state’s ethics laws. He also signed HB137 and issued this signing statement…
Today I sign House Bill 137, which waives the one year restriction on the Legislative Inspector General conducting investigations of complaints that were raised, but neglected, between December 2014 and November 2017.
This bill represents a positive but small step toward addressing the pressing issue of sexual harassment in the Capitol. It ensures that a vacancy in the Office of the Legislative Inspector General does not allow for complaints and reports of victims to go unheard.
The General Assembly should now look to meaningful reforms of its ethical oversight structure to ensure that the new Legislative Inspector General has robust and independent investigatory and enforcement power. As currently codified, the Legislative Inspector General has a narrow mandate and limited authority. The legislature should conduct a thorough analysis of the existing statutes of limitations to ensure remedies are available. For example, after the Office of the Legislative Inspector General finds reasonable cause of a violation, there is a limitation of 18 months in which to file a complaint with the Legislative Ethics Commission. That time limitation will certainly need to be modified.
I am putting my signature to House Bill 137, but look forward to working with members of the General Assembly willing to take the next steps toward greater independence, transparency, and enforcement mechanisms for the Legislative Inspector General.
Sincerely,
Bruce Rauner
GOVERNOR
Thoughts?
* related…
* Why is Springfield’s #MeToo movement still in the dark? The Ethics Commission, some say: State Senator and former Lee County Sheriff Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, introduced legislation last week that would remove the lawmakers from the commission and replace them with independent citizens qualified to hear complaints. It would prohibit individuals who have participated in any political activity in the past 10 years from sitting on the commission. “Legislators shouldn’t sit in judgement of other legislators,” Bivins said. “I totally get why more don’t come forward until they have more assurances that their voice will be heard and that they will get justice and fair dealing with their complaints.”
- Actual Red - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:40 am:
Seems like a good bill, and the lack of partisan finger pointing in the statement is refreshing. Clearly this is an issue that goes beyond party.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:41 am:
Can any lawyers explain to me why this lifting of the one year deadline for investigations isn’t an ex post facto law?
- downstate commisssioner - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:42 am:
Strange that there was no mention of Madigan sponsoring the bill…
- People Over Parties - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:44 am:
Good bill. Good on Rauner.
- Arock - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:46 am:
Or mentioning of Madigan’s good buddy Cullerton sending the report to a vacant office. Sure they both were aware that the office was vacant and no ethic violations were being investigated.
- Chicago_Downstater - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:48 am:
It’s a good start. Hopefully this keeps moving. And credit where credit is due: Good on Rauner for sticking to the issue in his statement.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:52 am:
===isn’t an ex post facto law? ===
Because it’s civil, not criminal.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:58 am:
Assumin’ GovJunk meant to mention this when he noticed it in Jan. 2015 …..
Yup it is this attention to detail in the state he governs that has given him about a 20% approval ratin’
Sheer genius
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
what a low bar when “good on Rauner” is included for signing this and for not using it as a vehicle to hop back on his ‘Dot Point Mantra”.
- Sigh - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
-Inspector General finds reasonable cause of a violation, there is a limitation of 18 months in which to file a complaint with the Legislative Ethics Commission.-
Does Governor Rauner realize the 18 months also applies to the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies under the Governor (OEIG)???? And assuming he is also aware that he make 5 appointments to the Executive Ethis Commission.
If he wants more transparency, then is the Governor willing to confirm all OEIG investigations involving his office or release information on any founded reports that may not have been published?
- Olivia Pope - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 1:30 pm:
-I am putting my signature to House Bill 137, but look forward to working with members of the General Assembly willing to take the next steps toward greater independence, transparency, and enforcement mechanisms for the Legislative Inspector General.-
Since Governor looks for transparency, then maybe he is willing to be transparent about the FY 17 founded report (violation not stated) in the Governor’s office. See page 49 of the OEIG annual report: https://www.illinois.gov/oeig/publications/Documents/Fiscal%20Year%202017%20Annual%20Report.pdf
- Chris Widger - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:08 pm:
==If he wants more transparency, then is the Governor willing to confirm all OEIG investigations involving his office or release information on any founded reports that may not have been published?==
Why won’t the Legislature agree to bodycams worn at all times collecting all audio and video? We have the technology. I guess they just don’t believe in transparency.
- Sigh - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
Bodycams vs Ethics Act transparency are 2 separate topics. In FY 17 there was a complaint made with OEIG regarding the Governor’s office that was founded. If the Governor is going to call on the legislative branch to be more transparent, then the executive branch under the Governor should lead by example and his call for transparency.
When one calls for transparency, then they need to be transparent.
- Just Visiting - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
Ethics reform in Springfield beyond this? NEVER going to happen. Leadership on both sides will continue to hide their mushrooms as they grow best in the dark and away from sunshine. The very same darkness that those 27 filings found themselves hidden in.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 16, 17 @ 11:18 pm:
If Rauner wants to shallowly opine pious on sexual harassment, abuse, and assault, he’s going to have many more opportunities. This has just begun.
The dam has broken in a couple of spots, but the whole thing is going to collapse soon. A blind man can see that. The national accounting on this issue has just begun, and no amount of weasel-word babbling or rehab check-ins are going to change that.
Justice, though the heavens may fall. The pre-requisite for progress.