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Mendoza changes her mind on oath date after consulting with AG Madigan

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[Bumped up from last Wednesday for visibility and comments opened.]

* Comptroller-elect Susana Mendoza announced the other day that she would take her oath of office in January, even though the statute which created the special election appeared to set a December 5th swearing-in date.

Press release…

Illinois Comptroller-elect Susana A. Mendoza will be sworn in on Monday, Dec. 5 in Springfield, Lauren Peters, the managing director of her transition team, said in a statement released Wednesday.

“Comptroller-Elect Susana Mendoza has decided to take her oath on Dec. 5 once the election results are officially certified. After conferring with Attorney General Lisa Madigan, we have made a final decision with regard to interpretations of the unprecedented law governing the recent special election. While our legal team reached one interpretation of the law, which does not have any existing legal opinion guiding it, the Office of the Attorney General has concluded that the Comptroller-Elect should be sworn in on Dec. 5 upon certification of the ballots from the November election. As the chief legal officer for the state of Illinois, we believe it is in the best interest of the state to defer to her opinion and move forward with a swearing in date of Dec. 5.”

The exact time and location of the swearing in, which will be open to the public, is to be determined in the coming days. It will take place in the Illinois State Capitol Building.

The Mendoza folks say they consulted with their own attorneys, but then decided it was best to bow to the AG’s opinion.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 9:15 am

Comments

I guess the winter vacation will be cut short…

Comment by NIU Grad Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 9:40 am
Unforced error. Fix it and move on.

Comment by ryan Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 9:43 am
That means Christmas is coming early for whoever Rahm appoints as the next City Clerk

Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 9:49 am
Legislators want their paychecks before the holiday. Their wishes may come true now…

Comment by DG Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:06 am
===Legislators want their paychecks before the holiday. Their wishes may come true now…===

Someone is going to get sued, and they will lose.

That pesky constitution…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:09 am
“the unprecedented law…” was written in plain english. She should have asked the AG for input before attempting to delay her start date. It is an embarrassment to mendoza, and brings into question her ability to make tough calls in the future.

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:25 am
Agree it is an unforced error. Best thing is to not pretend it didn’t happen but rather to just say it was an error and get to work.

Comment by illini97 Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:34 am
=== While our legal team reached one interpretation of the law ===

Hopefully the Comptroller Elect takes this lesson into account when formulating her core team at the Comptroller’s Office.

Comment by Anonymouth Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:36 am
who gets the Mendoza spot?

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:37 am
SM: ” … I can make sure politicians get paid last.” TV actor to SM: “You can do that?” SM: “I can and I will.”

Susana Mendoza takes office in a few days & has PROMISED not to pay Legislators until they come up with a balanced budget.

Get out your popcorn, people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGpa9ub2qtA

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:49 am
Oops. That was me at 10:49.

Comment by Deft Wing Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:50 am
Oh - Deft Wing -, lol.

Munger held them first and is still holding them.

Illegally.

Just sayin’

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 10:58 am
Oh Knucklehead, I don’t care what Munger is doing. Munger lost, she’s out on Dec. 5. And thereafter Mendoza takes over & needs to be held accountable so that her clear promises are maintained by her.

Popcorn? Check.

P.S. Here’s Mendoza’s own words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGpa9ub2qtA

Comment by Deft Wing Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 11:06 am
===I don’t care what Munger is doing.===

You want Mendoza to follow the law but not Munger?

How does that work?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 11:09 am
Ho Hum

Wouldn’t expect Susana to make any dramatic changes to policy or practice until mid-January or later, anyway.

Comment by walker Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 11:16 am
Yeesh

Comment by Boone's is Back Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 1:02 pm
Regardless of what her own (private) team told her, the AG is the state’s chief legal officer and is/will be the one representing the Comptroller - whether the Comptroller likes it or not (unlike private lawyers, the AG can’t be fired by the “client”). Comptroller-elect Mendonza was wise to acquiesce to that reality.

Comment by titan Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 1:27 pm
Not exactly an auspicious start to her term.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 28, 16 @ 3:59 pm