* Background is here if you need it. Speaker Welch…
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch released the following statement Friday:
“My office is in receipt of a petition to create a special investigating committee to review allegations against Representative Ammons, and we will proceed according to the House rules. I am appointing Leader Curtis J. Tarver II to chair the special investigating committee, along with Leader Jay Hoffman and Representative Lilian Jimenez. These members are experienced attorneys who will lead a fair and independent process.
“I’ve been very clear: The allegations against Representative Ammons are extremely serious, and every person is entitled to due process. At my direction, we took immediate action to uphold the integrity of the House, and the special investigating committee is another process to ensure the House responds appropriately and within our purview—while ensuring nothing we do interferes with the ongoing federal case.”
…Adding… House Minority Leader Tony McCombie…
Please be advised of the following appointment to the 104′h General Assembly House Special Investigating Committee, pursuant to the petition filed on July 10, 2026. These appointments are effective immediately.
House Special Investigating Committee
Representative Ryan Spain, Spokesperson
Representative Dan Ugaste
Representative Adam Niemerg
- Frida's Boss - Friday, Jul 10, 26 @ 2:43 pm:
They can’t really do anything, as it could interfere with the federal case.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jul 10, 26 @ 2:46 pm:
===They can’t really do anything, as it could interfere with the federal case. ===
Bad take. They can hold hearings on the evidence already offered and then decide whether to move it up the ladder.
- The Opinions Bureau - Friday, Jul 10, 26 @ 3:02 pm:
To Rich’s point, the final report and other documents of the SIC that led to the expulsion of Rep. Derrick Smith can be found here.
https://ilga.gov/House/Committees/Reports/1169?Description=SPECIAL%20INVESTIGATING%20COMMITTEE