Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Legislative Inspector General resigns: “This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority”
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Legislative Inspector General resigns: “This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority”

Wednesday, Jul 14, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Greg Bishop with the scoop

The Illinois state legislature will have to start looking for another watchdog to police them after Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope said the position is “essentially a paper tiger,” and announced she’s going to leave the post in December.

In a letter to members of the bipartisan Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission Wednesday, Pope said she hoped to make a difference from the inside and improve the public’s view of the legislature by bringing true ethics reforms.

“Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so,” Pope said. “This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority. The LIG has no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations, the position is essentially a paper tiger.”

* The letter

Dear LEC Members:

When I took this job as the Legislative Inspector General, I thought I might be able to make a difference working from the inside. I thought I could be useful in improving the public’s view of the legislature and help bring about true ethics reform. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so. This last legislative session demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority. The LIG has no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations, the position is essentially a paper tiger.

I testified in front of the Joint Commission on Ethics reform on February 6, 2020. All of the items I talked about are still unimproved today, except for being able to initiate an investigation without prior approval by the LEC. I testified again this spring in front of the House and Senate Ethics committees about important issues that directly affect my office and the LEC. Those issues include having the ability to issue subpoenas without having to seek prior approval from the LEC, mandated publication of founded summary reports concerning legislators, the ability to publish reports that vindicate legislators, the incongruent jurisdiction between the LIG and the LEC and providing for the appointment of a nonpartisan citizen to serve as the ninth member of the LEC to avoid strictly partisan 4-4 votes. None of these reforms were adopted.

The General Assembly actually restricted the LIG’s jurisdiction during this last session by requiring the filing of a complaint before the LIG can undertake an investigation. If public allegations about a legislator are made, but no complaint is filed with the LIG’s office, the LIG cannot open an investigation. This actually is a throwback to legislation that existed prior to 2009. In 2009, the GA enacted legislation that removed the requirement of acting only on a complaint. See SB 54 of the 96th General Assembly. For the last 12 years, the LIG has been able to open an investigation based on public allegations in the media. But no longer.

ln addition, the GA restricted the LIG’s jurisdiction to matters arising out of government service or employment. As I have explained repeatedly. including before the Joint Commission on Ethics Refonn back in 2020, as a result of this, the LIG will not be able to investigate conduct unbecoming a legislator that results from things such as posting revenge porn on social media, failure to pay income taxes on non-legisJative income, and other conduct that I and the public think the LIG should be able to investigate.

While it is certainly within the prerogative of the Legislature to craft these statutes as it sees fit, I am unable to remain in a position where I cannot be as effective as I hoped to be. I appreciate the opportunity to have served the People of Illinois in this position and have enjoyed working with the LEC. I am willing to continue my service while you search for my replacement, or until December 15, 2021, whichever comes first. If you prefer I vacate the office while you search for my replacement, that is fine too. I am willing to assist my successor with the transition.

Sincerely.

Carol Pope
Legislative Inspector General

I ran the letter through an online PDF translator, so pardon any typos.

* React

“Inspector General Pope has done an exceptional job in her role,” said state Rep. Avery Borne, R-Morrisonville, a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission. “Getting to lead her appointment process was one of the accomplishments I am most proud of throughout my time in the legislature.”

“I would like to thank her for her service to the people of Illinois and I am sad to see her resignation and her term cut short,” Bourne said. “I’m grateful she has in part used this role to highlight the important changes that must be made to further empower her office and truly reform the ethics act in Illinois. Let LIG Pope’s departure serve as a strong message to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker: your inaction on these basic proposed reforms is protecting politicians who violate the public’s trust.”

Another member of the commission, state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford also reacted to Pope’s letter when asked for comment.

“I thank Inspector Pope for the work that she’s done and I’m concerned that we did not meet the moment for true ethics reform that will improve trust in State Government,” West said. “Upon reading her resignation letter, my response is that I am committed to working on the issues that she mentioned, even if they are not popular - because they are the right policies to put in place.”

…Adding… John Patterson…

“President Harmon wants to thank Inspector General Pope for her dedication and service to the people of Illinois. A search for a new inspector general should start soon to make sure there is no vacancy in this vital position.”

…Adding… Senate GOP Leader McConchie…

Inspector Pope has proven to be a dedicated public servant representing the people of Illinois and their desire for a more ethical state government. Her job was difficult in a state that has a history of legislator misconduct. I wish her well and look forward to helping find a successor to carry this important mission forward.

…Adding… Reps. Kelly Burke and Maurice West…

We thank Carol Pope for her service to the state of Illinois in this vital position and we are committed to filling this vacancy quickly and thoughtfully.

The ethics reform package, which passed nearly unanimously this Spring, is an excellent first step and we have always been committed to further conversations that will continue to rebuild trust back in our state government. We do thank Ms. Pope for detailing some of her concerns in her resignation letter, but we feel confident that many are addressed in the new ethics package — or through law enforcement, which is the proper and just avenue for criminal activity outside the purview of official duties.

       

12 Comments
  1. - Nieva - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 4:18 pm:

    So hanging around until December to top of a pension or just gonna train another person the will not be able to accomplish any real change either??


  2. - fs - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 4:24 pm:

    == So hanging around until December to top of a pension or just gonna train another person the will not be able to accomplish any real change either??==

    She was a Circuit and Appellate court judge for years prior to this gig. I seriously doubt pension considerations play into any timing.


  3. - Keyrock - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 4:27 pm:

    Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was.


  4. - Disappointed Voter - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 4:32 pm:

    It would have helped if Carol did something beyond the minimum when bills were being negotiated. Testifying is at the bottom of the list of things to do. She penned this letter so I’m assuming she knows better?

    Hopefully the next person has the same spirit of trying to be effective but has the gall to go above and beyond when its needed.


  5. - Mockery - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 4:43 pm:

    == ln addition, the GA restricted the LIG’s jurisdiction to matters arising out of government service or employment. As I have explained repeatedly. including before the Joint Commission on Ethics Refonn back in 2020, as a result of this, the LIG will not be able to investigate conduct unbecoming a legislator that results from things such as posting revenge porn on social media, failure to pay income taxes on non-legisJative income, and other conduct that I and the public think the LIG should be able to investigate. ==

    With all due respect, an inspector general is not a states attorney or federal prosecutor. They should not be investigating allegations of criminal activity and should not have jurisdiction to investigate issues that aren’t related directly to public service.


  6. - Nobody Sent - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 5:05 pm:

    I don’t know anything about her but believe she’s right about the position lacking any real authority.


  7. - The House Rules - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 6:22 pm:

    Didn’t she say that the LIG shouldn’t be a full time job bc there wasn’t enough work? If there wasn’t enough work under the current system, why would she be allowed to rack up billable hours if they’re not tied to an actual complaint?


  8. - Spare me - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 6:45 pm:

    Everyone under the dome knows that she’s had one foot out the door for the last six months, as she’s leading the charge in her son’s business venture… Peace & blessings.


  9. - Sir Reel - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 7:12 pm:

    I know Carol. I think her years as an attorney and a judge helped her pinpoint the lack of LIG authority. Maybe someone else would have done a different job, but without authority, the job is ultimately window dressing.


  10. - Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 8:53 pm:

    - Sir Reel - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 7:12 pm:

    With the bar set by LIG Pope, anyone would be better. Pope is a an entitled and incompetent press chaser.


  11. - Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 9:03 pm:

    ===The LIG has no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations===
    As intended.


  12. - Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:23 pm:

    Oh, another prosecutor who does not think they have enough power…how newsworthy.

    What did Pope do with the power she did have when she had it?


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Uber’s Local Partnership = Stress-Free Travel For Paratransit Riders
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* Caption contest!
* Pritzker calls on new CPS president to resign, citing 'antisemitism, misogyny, fringe conspiracy theories' (Resignation reported)
* Happy Halloween!
* Roundup: Madigan corruption trial
* Question of the day
* The word 'voters' is doing a lot of heavy lifting in these 'voter confidence' stories
* Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
* 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
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