* 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.