* Press release…
After accepting the resignation of the current Legislative Inspector General (LIG), effective September 30, 2026, the members of the Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) have voted to appoint David E. Risley as Acting Legislative Inspector General, effective October 1, 2026. Risley, who is a Certified Inspector General, brings more than 30 years of experience in investigations and prosecutorial work as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney to the position. […]
“The position of Legislative Inspector General is too important to sit vacant, especially in the context of the current moment,” said LEC Chair, State Rep. Jeff Keicher. “The public’s trust has understandably been shaken by recent events, which is why the Commission has acted swiftly to fill the position to provide a seamless transition. We are committed to ensuring the highest ethical standards are enforced and that all complainants, respondents and witnesses are given the due process and consideration they deserve.
“Mr. Risley’s extensive investigative and prosecutorial experience, as well as his experience with Illinois’ ethics laws, make him an excellent candidate to serve as Acting Legislative Inspector General, and the Commission thanks him for his willingness to take on this critically important role.”
In addition to more than 30 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, David Risley has also served in the U.S. Regime Crimes Liaison Office investigating crimes against humanity in Iraq, served as Ethics Officer for the Illinois Department of Transportation, served as Legal and Ethics Advisor to the Office of the Illinois Legislative Inspector General, and has earned accreditation as a Certified Inspector General and Investigator from the Association of Inspectors General.
While Risley will assume his duties as Acting LIG on October 1, 2026, the LEC wants to reiterate to the public that it considers the LIG to be a vital position necessary to ensure the integrity of the legislature and the citizens’ trust in the functions of the legislative branch and seeks to fill the position permanently as expeditiously as possible.
…Added by Rich… From my weekly column…
Finally, recent legislative inspectors general have had judicial backgrounds. Those folks are accustomed to lawyers bringing facts and arguments to their courtrooms. The next person in the post should have some investigatory skills to get to the bottom of things, rather than just looking witnesses in the eye to discern whether they’re telling the truth.
This is a very good step in the right direction.
- Notorious JMB - Monday, Sep 14, 26 @ 4:22 pm:
Risley is a good dude. He had some pretty interesting stories about being in the Middle East. He’s the right guy for the job.
- Frida's Boss - Monday, Sep 14, 26 @ 4:27 pm:
Judges are used to being in charge and having people bow down to them. Look at the Judge who just jailed two of his courtroom deputies because they wouldn’t unshackle a murder suspect per his orders.
Having someone who understands and respects the process, as well as the need for precise documentation and reporting, is necessary.
- Leslie K - Monday, Sep 14, 26 @ 4:27 pm:
I don’t know him, but his background certainly signals an upgrade to professional quality in a very important position.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Sep 14, 26 @ 4:35 pm:
On paper, this is a great fit. Investigative/IG experience, which like you said is very different than courtroom-style law. But I hope his experience as IDOT Ethics Officer gives him the experience of receiving complaints from staff and sitting across the table from them in a way that doesn’t seem like a dismissive cross-examination (Re: his predecessor).
- Just Bill - Monday, Sep 14, 26 @ 5:16 pm:
No disrespect to judges- many judges come from the ranks of former prosecutors and public defenders- but any IG needs to be focused on investigating.
- OneOpinion - Monday, Sep 14, 26 @ 5:26 pm:
McClosky and his predecessor Carol Pope came from judicial backgrounds, and before that was Julie Porter … a private attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney. Porter was outstanding, and this new IG seems to be of a similar profile. Agree with Rich that it’s a better skill set for the job.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Sep 15, 26 @ 3:59 pm:
Pretty sure GovJunk guy not what needed
- Retired judge - Tuesday, Sep 15, 26 @ 6:30 pm:
Mcklosky was a bad fit, pope tried to do a good job but was frustrated by the statute and resigned when the legislature refused to amend the statute to give it some teeth. Risley worked with her so he is well aware of the statutory problems. Hopefully the latest misadventures will get them to amend the statute so he can do the job. He is very capable but unless the statute is amended there will be more of the same.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 15, 26 @ 7:03 pm:
===pope tried to do a good job===
lol
She spent much of her time complaining instead of investigating
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 15, 26 @ 7:06 pm:
…and then after she left one of her first acts was contributing to the campaign of a far-right Republican gubernatorial candidate.
To me, that blew up most of her arguments.