Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Rotheimer claims she filed ARDC beefs against Madigan, Cullerton and the LIG, among others
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Rotheimer claims she filed ARDC beefs against Madigan, Cullerton and the LIG, among others

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Illinois News Network

A victims’ rights activist who was the first to publicly name a state legislator for alleged abuse of power has now filed a complaint against a slew of other state lawmakers who are also lawyers, claiming misconduct, malfeasance and other violations of professional standards.

Denise Rotheimer said Monday she filed a complaint with Illinois’ Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission against several high-ranking lawmakers, including state Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago. Rotheimer also filed complaints against lawmakers who are attorneys on the Legislative Ethics Commission and against the special legislative inspector general. The ARDC was established by the Illinois Supreme Court to “promote and protect the integrity of the legal profession.” The Illinois Supreme Court has the authority to disbar attorneys.

The complaints stem from the nearly three year vacancy for the legislative inspector general position. The inspector general is responsible for investigating allegations of lawmaker wrongdoing. While the post was vacant, complaints forwarded to the office sat untouched.

“Hopefully the ARDC having respect for the profession will see that those who have licenses to practice in the state are held to the laws and whether or not they become lawmakers are not immune to breaking those laws,” Rotheimer said.

A check of the ARDC’s website at 10:22 this morning shows no complaints filed. But it hasn’t been updated since Friday.

…Adding… Rotheimer sent me the receipt she received after filing her request for an investigation. Click here.

       

33 Comments
  1. - Perrid - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:29 am:

    What? Lawmakers who are lawyers should be disbarred for not filling a vacant position? To my knowledge there is no law saying the GA has to fill the position. Again, what?


  2. - Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:29 am:

    FYI, ARDC complaints don’t become public unless, after an initial review process by the Administrator’s office, they are found to be potentially valid and the Administrator files a complaint. Probably 90%+ never get to that point.


  3. - JoanP - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:30 am:

    The ARDC waits until the complaint has been served to post it on their site: “Disciplinary complaints become public after service upon the respondent/lawyer and the proof of service is filed with the ARDC Clerk”.


  4. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:34 am:

    I guess it was a slow “news” day, and Rotheimer was happy to oblige. But what would the ARDC do with this, other than dismiss it for failing to state a claim?


  5. - Texas Red - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:37 am:

    How Long Will It Take Before I Hear Something?

    We will notify you in writing of our decision whether to investigate about two weeks after we received your request. If we determine that there is not a sufficient basis for us to investigate, our letter to you will explain the reasons for our decision. If you have any questions about your request, we ask that you direct your questions to the Commission lawyer who handled your request and that you refer to your file number.


  6. - Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:37 am:

    I also don’t see from the article what Rule of Professional Conduct is alleged to have been violated. That’s a surefire way not to have the Administrator file a complaint. To clarify my earlier post, the Administrator acts as prosecutor and only complaints filed by the Administrator may result in possible punishment to an attorney. If you look at complaints that are public on the site, they are all brought by the Administrator, but most likely as a result of a communication from a member of the public or another attorney or judge.


  7. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:37 am:

    Ron B’s point is precisely correct. I have no expertise in this area whatsoever, but by experience did witness this process and how the procedure worked on a person who ultimately did not have his complaint against him become public.

    Thus, they release it where they did, how they did.


  8. - Juice - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:39 am:

    “whether or not they become lawmakers are not immune to breaking those laws”

    Wrong. I don’t know if I have ever seen a more clear-cut real life example of why there is a legislative immunity clause of the constitution.


  9. - Colin O'Scopy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:39 am:

    Ok, I won’t say Ms. Rotheimer is becoming unhinged. But she is certainly unraveling.

    The amount of hurt she must have suffered because of her daughter’s abuse is clearly palpable and her actions to get a legislative remedy for other victims are clouding her judgement.

    There is a smattering of naivete in what she is doing. But one thing it’s not doing is helping her cause. Too bad, she probably could have made a decent victims’ advocate otherwise.


  10. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:40 am:

    ===But one thing it’s not doing is helping her cause===

    It appears she has a new cause.


  11. - Sue - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:41 am:

    The ARDC gets frivolous filings all the time just like these


  12. - Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:44 am:

    –The ARDC gets frivolous filings all the time just like these–

    Exactly. Which is why the prosecutors screen them privately initially and 90+% don’t become public. Otherwise even the filing of a frivolous complaint might besmirch the reputation of attorneys who don’t deserve it. For example, criminal defense attorneys get complaints all the time just because their client got convicted. Divorce attorneys get complaints because the other spouse didn’t like them.


  13. - Been There - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:47 am:

    I wonder if Sen Connelly received a complaint? He doesn’t seem to be a Proft guy so I guess he probably did.


  14. - Mama - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:50 am:

    It is strange that no one has publicly named a Republican state legislator for alleged abuse of power. I honestly do not believe no Republicans are abusing their power. I think the Republican staff are to afraid to name any Republican whom abused his power. It is also strange that all of this is coming out at election time.


  15. - Molly Maguire - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 10:59 am:

    All Dems–motives clear


  16. - SaulGoodman - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:02 am:

    **It is strange that no one has publicly named a Republican state legislator for alleged abuse of power.**

    John Anthony says hi.


  17. - JoanP - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:13 am:

    =For example, criminal defense attorneys get complaints all the time just because their client got convicted=

    Or found unfit.

    Back in the day, when the ARDC used to make you respond to every complaint, however frivolous, we used to say that they should bin everything with “Elgin Mental Health Center” in the return address.


  18. - A guy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:17 am:

    ==It is strange that no one has publicly named a Republican state legislator for alleged abuse of power==

    So much of their caucuses are relatively new. They’re less likely perhaps than the good ole boys. And, just for clarity…they haven’t had much power to exploit.

    But, your point is well taken. I doubt very much that as this goes along that it won’t snare both parties.


  19. - Undiscovered country - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:18 am:

    Rich, once again your commenters are spot on with the intricacies and nuances, this time of the ARDC process. If Ms. Rotheimer was upset about the lack of control and transparency with the LIG process, then she’s going to lose her mind with the ARDC.


  20. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:19 am:

    ===So much of their caucuses are relatively new.===

    Kinda defeats the whole “term limits” argument…


  21. - Honeybear - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:20 am:

    One passionate activist to another
    Let me share a labor leadership training.
    The four criteria of a successful direct action.
    Winnable
    Impactful
    Limited
    Targeted
    W.I.L.T

    I can’t see your action being winnable
    Unless
    Your intension was to stay in the news and to cast aspersions.
    In that case objective achieved
    However
    Frivolous filings
    Erode your legitimacy
    Till
    No one believes you
    Which I would argue is the case

    You are no longer impactful.
    You should have done this before the whole
    Publicity fiasco

    Btw Alinsky’s rule of pushing a negative through to a positive only works if you have legitimacy.


  22. - Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:39 am:

    There seems to be some confusion here.

    The complaints on file by Rotheimer are not the formal complaints filed by the ARDC against the named attorneys after their investigation and determination that the complaint initially filed by the grievant is the basis for a cause or causes of action, i.e. a violation of the Code of Ethics.

    That I believe is the formal complaint that gets filed and posted on the ARDC website.

    The complaints she probably filed are fill in the blank complaint forms or letters sent to the ARDC, which then investigates the matter. If they see something or find a violation during the investigation, the ARDC will then pursue the matter. If they don’t they will send a letter to the attorney indicating they are closing their file. The attorney receiving such a complaint will have to file a written response and include any documentary evidence to support their responses. Occasionally, the ARDC will read the initial complaint and decide an answer is not required. The first attorney I worked for received one of those after the complaint letter stated he had planted a listening device in her head.

    The entire process is posted on the ARDC website.


  23. - anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 11:40 am:

    Molly @ 10:59

    === All Dems–motives clear ===

    From the article: Rotheimer also said Republican statehouse leaders Sen. Bill Brady and Rep. Jim Durkin were still culpable for not putting an LIG in place. But she said she couldn’t find in state statute where minority leaders are legally obligated to certify an LIG.

    She said alongside Madigan and Cullerton, Brady and Durkin should also step down from leadership


  24. - Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:18 pm:

    In their annual reporting, they refer to the initial inquiries from the public as “grievances” rather than complaints to distinguish them from the formal complaints filed by the Administrator which actually starts a full-blown case. Only about 2% make it to some form of punishment apparently. In 2017 they received about 5,200 grievances and only about 118 attorneys were disciplined by the Illinois Supreme Court.


  25. - Cindy Lou - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 12:18 pm:

    Really neither here nor there this long running harassment Me Too thing, but I don’t like the implication that it’s a one party issue or that it’s a state capital only issue.

    It happens statewide. It happens in state agencies and departments all across Illinois… and it’s been happening for years and years. And it isn’t a party line issue nor is it a solely female being abused by male issue.

    And yes, I can understand the call for a human resource office to report problems. But keep in mind, that office will only be as good as the actual desire to a end the problem.

    Me? I got told I was a ‘glitch’ in the system when I tried to reach out to stop sexual harassment and that was under a republican governor and Madigan had nothing to do with any of it nor any of his influence or lack of in it.

    I guess I don’t like how this is being turned into a political party issue nor how eliminating Madigan, or changing leaders of the democrat party or even speaker of the house is going to cure anything.

    No, harassment nor abuse of position doesn’t belong in the capital. It doesn’t belong anywhere in any state office regardless of party or agency or union or non-union… the politic playing needs to be taken out of the cause.

    Fight for the cause because what’s happening is wrong , not because someone sees it as a political hit to get rid of one person/party or another.


  26. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 1:03 pm:

    Does the ARDC have a category for political stunts?


  27. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 1:28 pm:

    Rotheimer continues to be the roving complaint in search of a legit offense.


  28. - Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 1:49 pm:

    they are silent as the grave, including on secret reprimands. those kinds of things only become public when, say, someone has a second indiscretion. or they claim they were absolved of something for which they were actually secretly reprimanded and they oops themselves into more trouble. famously happened a couple of years ago.


  29. - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 1:57 pm:

    She’s a partisan putz.


  30. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 3:07 pm:

    ==It is strange that no one has publicly named a Republican state legislator for alleged abuse of power==

    Dennis Hastert was way ahead of his time.


  31. - Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 3:57 pm:

    ===Does the ARDC have a category for political stunts?===

    LOLOLOLOL


  32. - Shevek - Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 5:09 pm:

    ==A check of the ARDC’s website at 10:22 this morning shows no complaints filed. But it hasn’t been updated since Friday.==

    That shows complaints filed by the ARDC against attorneys in front of the ARDC Hearing board. Requests for investigations, which is what was filed, are confidential, and therefore would not be posted on the website.


  33. - theCardinal - Wednesday, Jun 13, 18 @ 9:24 am:

    Mission to keep name in some relavent space. Check the box.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Legislators pressure IDOC on inmate mail
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Fundraiser list
* BIPA reforms surviving court challenges for now
* Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
* Asked about Trump using 'military assets' for mass deportation, Pritzker says the plan may be ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘illegal’
* Abandon ship?
* Energy Storage Can Minimize Major Price Spikes
* Welch talks Trump, budget, staff
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today's edition
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller