* Press release…

Yesterday, the Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) held its monthly meeting and took the final steps to recommend the appointment of Judge Carol Pope to the position of Legislative Inspector General (LIG), effective March 1, 2019. Following the selection of Judge Pope in December, Acting Legislative Inspector General Porter, Judge Pope and the LEC agreed on an extension of current LIG Porter’s term by two months to allow time for her to complete open cases. This also allows for an important transition period.

Following the Commission’s meeting, Senate Joint Resolution 17 was filed. This resolution must be adopted by both chambers to appoint Judge Pope to the position. As members of the LEC, we look forward to working for the passage of this resolution to fill the position of LIG. Currently, LIG Porter retains the ability to hear complaints and launch any investigation she deems necessary.

That monthly meeting was scheduled in January, according to a spokesperson for Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Raymond). The Senate’s joint resolution couldn’t be filed until after the Ethics Commission took that final step yesterday.

* But that didn’t stop Denise Rotheimer from claiming credit for the timing. Here’s Hannah Meisel…

Even so, victims’ rights advocate Denise Rotheimer appeared in Springfield Wednesday, telling reporters at a Capitol press conference that she didn’t believe the new system was transparent enough.

“I would rather [the LIG] be chosen by the voice of the people of the state of Illinois,” she said. […]

Rotheimer told reporters that she couldn’t understand why a joint resolution to appoint Pope had not yet been filed. But when told that State Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan) had filed SJR 17 — the resolution to officially appoint Pope — on Wednesday, Rotheimer claimed credit.

“Well that’s because I’m here,” she said. “Isn’t that so ironic?”

Rotheimer told reporters that Wednesday would be her last time coming to Springfield, and presented her bill for expanding victims’ rights when a victim accuses a lawmaker of unethical behavior.

SJR17 was adopted by the Senate at about 11:30 this morning. It now goes to the House.