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* UPDATED x1 - Press release claims “serious health issues” * Rep. Keith Farnham resigns

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* The Secretary of State’s office just notified me that Rep. Keith Farnham (D-Elgin) has resigned his House seat. I’ll post the letter when I get it, but there isn’t much there.

As you already know, federal ICE agents served search warrants on Farnham’s home and district office last week.

…Adding… The resignation letter is here.

* The Daily Herald ran this earlier today when Farnham didn’t show up for session…

Illinois House lawmakers milled around the chamber Wednesday, the day after a busy primary election, but when attendance was taken, Farnham didn’t answer the roll.

A photo of him that once hung outside his office in the Illinois Capitol Complex has been taken down, but his nameplate remains.

Farnham’s Elgin office was dark Tuesday, and a woman answering an intercom at his home apartment said he was unavailable.

Many messages left for him have gone unreturned.

*** UPDATE *** The press release provides zero details…

State Rep. Keith Farnham: Resigning from Office

ELGIN, Ill. – The following is a statement from state Rep. Keith Farnham of Elgin.

“It is with great regret today that I announce my resignation from the office of state representative, effective immediately.

“I have been battling serious health issues for a number of years and the coming months will require my full attention. The right thing to do for the people of the 43rd District is to make sure they have a dedicated, qualified and full-time advocate in our communities and in the State Capitol to represent their needs and concerns every day without distraction or interruption. They deserve nothing less.”

Farnham’s resignation from the office of state representative will take effect immediately. He will withdraw as a nominee for state representative in the November election as soon as is legally allowed.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 3:59 pm

Comments

ICE covers a lot of ground.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:15 pm
Searches by federal agents tend to make one sick.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:19 pm
We’ll learn what this is all about soon enough. In the meantime, I’m glad he decided to step down. It’s the right thing to do.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:20 pm
Serious health issues. Mental health issues.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:21 pm
allergic reaction to handcuffs?

Comment by Raising Kane Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:22 pm
He must be thinking the feds have a strong case against him.(Whatever it is) Sometimes they reduce charges if they step down and do a plea deal.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:32 pm
Some news stories have said the investigators were from ICE’s Homeland Security division. Does that seem right?

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:41 pm
Only in Illinois can an unopposed state representative announce his resignation on Primary election day, four days after Feds search his house.
Expect Rauner to use this to attack a culture of corruption. Question is whether he waits for details to be made public.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:44 pm
LBM, primary day was yesterday.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:45 pm
I think now we know who stole the lost Malaysian plane.

#case closed.

Comment by Abe the Babe Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:50 pm
Mom,

ICE is part of Homeland Security. It used to be under the Dept. of Justice, but since we can’t have any justice in our immigration policies, they consolidated it in Homeland Security.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:51 pm
Thanks, 47th. I was deeply confused. I should have asked the google instead of relying on overworked reporters. (I try to be kind…)

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:53 pm
If you do a little research into what ICE does, it is easy to guess what this is about: child pornography.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:54 pm
You’re joking, right Precinct Captain? How can you possibly jump to that conclusion given what the US Attorney has said publicly about this case?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 4:59 pm
Precinct captain is probably correct. The ice press release is the same language they routinely use in cp cases. It’ can be several week for forensics to return. If there is prohibited imagery found, watch for a follow up warrant at his Capitol office. Arrests only follow after forensic confirmation.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 5:09 pm
–If you do a little research into what ICE does, it is easy to guess what this is about:–

On the ICE site, I count more than a dozen areas of investigation.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 5:17 pm
I hope this is not another case of bipolar disorder.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 5:31 pm
I guess I would be more inclined to find out if ICE and Farnam’s Attorney are “talking”…

I hate to speculate what these investigations are, where they are going, and what is already known.

The lawyer/investigators confirmation would be something of interest, however.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 5:32 pm
Resignation the right thing to do regardless of what they’re looking at.

Comment by Walker Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 5:39 pm
If Illinois adopted a State song, it have to be Queen’s “Another one bites the dust”.

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 5:46 pm
As Kass would say Fedsheimer’s can be debilitating.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 5:53 pm
From the website:
The ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) directorate is a critical asset in the ICE mission, responsible for investigating a wide range of domestic and international activities arising from the illegal movement of people and goods into, within and out of the United States.

HSI investigates immigration crime, human rights violations and human smuggling, smuggling of narcotics, weapons and other types of contraband, financial crimes, cybercrime and export enforcement issues. ICE special agents conduct investigations aimed at protecting critical infrastructure industries that are vulnerable to sabotage, attack or exploitation

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 6:22 pm
There’s a bit too much enjoyment of this guy’s downfall today. If he’s charged with a crime, we will find out soon enough. If he’s legitimately ill, let’s hope he recovers. I can’t figure out why people think this is so much fun.

Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 6:50 pm
D.Dave…..agree, but the disgust citizens have for the politicians that act contemptuously of them are not wont to be generous or forbearing….

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 7:09 pm
I know nothing of the investigation but I recently learned of his illness, which is serious.

Comment by ChiefM Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 8:43 pm
I guess leaving to spend more time with family has is out of fashion.

Comment by South of the Loop Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 9:05 pm
The guy clearly is sick if Child Porn is involved

Comment by Etown Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 9:36 pm
Typical Illinois political carreer. Serve (yourself or union chronies) then go to Jail. Aint life grand? If it is CP that would be a disgrace as he covwrote a HB against CP. Epitome of hypocrysy

Comment by Union Free America Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 9:41 pm
He gave the people of his district the closing chapter of his life. He isin the late winter of life.

Comment by Winter Wednesday, Mar 19, 14 @ 9:45 pm
Yeah !! The GOP just took back another seat in November 14. fact is Farnham Would still be in office if there was no investigation!! I would not call it” stepping down” more like forced resignation, Never seen such a rapid “cry Uncle”

Comment by Illinois Republic Thursday, Mar 20, 14 @ 6:44 am
47th ward-
The rep wasn’t part of a recent us attorney sting. That comment from the USA does not preclude a CP investigation from a different entity.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 20, 14 @ 7:52 am
Thanks Inspector Anonymous. Obviously you and the other true detectives here know the real scoop.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Mar 20, 14 @ 8:19 am
Rich,
News came out on Primary Day.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Mar 20, 14 @ 8:43 am