* Just FYI, but the Republicans knew the Democrats were losing members as 3rd Reading deadline night progressed (they even asked to verify roll calls that evening), but waited until after all their bills had been voted on before asking for a roll call verification of the very last bill on the House’s 2nd Reading calendar. Also, if it hadn’t been for the Freedom Caucus’ rule change dumping the consent calendar for substantive bills, the House might not have been in so late. By one count, 283 of the 465 bills the House passed garnered at least 100 votes. Also, staff voting members’ switches is a bipartisan thing, but we’ve seen controversy about this before (remember “Buttongate”?). It’s not a legal violation, but it is a rules violation and the folks back home probably do not love the practice, so here you go…

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is issuing the following statement calling for an ethics investigation into the recent House Floor voting controversy and the Parliamentary action the House leadership took on March 24th in Springfield.

“As Members of the Illinois House of Representatives, it is our duty to serve the people. Our mission is to enact and support legislation that is beneficial for the working families and taxpayers of Illinois. Voters have sent us to Springfield to act in good faith and to conduct business ethically and in accordance with state law. Unfortunately in the late hours of March 24th, that public trust was violated by members and staff of the House Democratic Caucus in the General Assembly.

In typical fashion our government was debating substantive legislation way behind schedule until nearly midnight. During the debate, the Democratic leadership attempted to shut off the opportunity for opposing speakers to discuss legislation. Shortly after this time it became apparent that many members of the Democratic Caucus were absent from the House Floor, and in fact were absent from the Capitol Complex entirely. Yet somehow, they were still voting on legislation.

Representative Dan Caulkins of the Illinois Freedom Caucus raised the issue of the accuracy of votes cast, and he requested a verification of votes cast for the previous bill. A verified roll call means for any ‘YES’ votes to count, legislators had to be in the chamber in order for those votes to count. Initially, his request was denied, but after debate on the verification request, verification was granted.

That verification showed at least four votes were cast on the motion which could not be verified. Those votes were removed, the bill failed to pass, and shortly after the verification, the House adjourned. However, there is no denying that votes were improperly cast for members who were not present to vote, and there were attempts to prevent verification from proceeding in an effort to cover up false votes.

The Democratic majority has power in Springfield, and they are certainly not shy about reminding us of that fact. But it is possible to exercise power without abusing it. We need a more ethical, transparent and accountable government, which is why we are exploring an ethics complaint with the Legislative Inspector General. The abuse of power must come to an end.”

The Illinois Freedom Caucus is comprised of State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Oakland), chairman; Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), vice-chairman; Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich); Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville); Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur); Jed Davis (R-Newark) and David Friess (R-Red Bud). The members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus are members of the Illinois General Assembly who are advocating for limited government, lower taxes and accountability and integrity in government.

* From Speaker Chris Welch’s spokesperson Jaclyn Driscoll…

The Freedom Caucus has repeatedly proven that they have no sincere interest in governing. Their one goal is to obstruct the will of the majority of voters in Illinois because their policies continuously fail at the ballot box. Democrats remain focused on getting the work done and lifting up communities across this state.

* Background is here if you need it, but Freedom Caucus member Rep. Brad Halbrook serves on the House Appropriations-General Service Committee. And Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis testified at the committee about her budget request today. Rep. Halbrook then asked her this question…

Halbrook: Do you think that Justices Rochford and O’Brien… [will] do the right thing and recuse themselves in relationship to the gun ban case?

Theis: There are motions pending before the court as we speak, and at this point, I’m not going to make a comment on those motions until they’ve been decided.

As another FYI, Supreme Court candidates are not allowed to personally solicit campaign contributions. But as a recent motion filed by the attorney for Rep. Caulkins noted, G-PAC and Giffords PAC endorsed both high court candidates and had this explanation on its website…

In order to earn the endorsement of G-PAC and Giffords PAC, each candidate voiced their support of the organizations’ top legislative priority: banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Illinois.

A G-PAC spokesperson declined comment.