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Rauner appoints new OEIG

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Illinois

* Press release…

Gov. Bruce Rauner today announced he has appointed Susan Haling as Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor. Haling has more than six years of experience in the Office of the Inspector General (OEIG).

“A dedicated public servant for many years, Susan’s investigatory expertise makes her an ideal fit to lead the OEIG,” Gov. Rauner said. “She has demonstrated strong leadership and management experience, and I am confident she will be an asset to state employees and the public in this role.”

Haling previously served as the First Assistant Inspector General, where she supervised more than 70 employees in Chicago and Springfield, and managed more than 100 active investigations. She is also a former Assistant U.S. Attorney with more than nine years of experience in the Criminal Division of the Northern District of Illinois.

“I have been in public service my entire legal career and am humbled by this opportunity to serve the people of Illinois as the EIG,” Haling said.

Haling will succeed Maggie Hickey, who is pursuing an opportunity in the private sector.

“Susan Haling is an outstanding attorney, former prosecutor, and extremely knowledgeable about the Office of Executive Inspector General,” Hickey said. “The OEIG is in excellent hands. Susan has a wealth of experience and the utmost integrity. Having had the opportunity to work with her at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the OEIG, I have full confidence in her ability to lead independent and robust investigations.”

Haling earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law. Her husband, Theodore “TJ” Hengesbach, is the Inspector General of the Illinois Toll Highway. The OEIG does not have any statutory authority to direct the Toll Highway IG in its operations or investigations. As in the past, and consistent with general OEIG practice, Haling would be screened from any matters involving the Toll Highway Authority should any come to the OEIG.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 10:00 am

Comments

I was under the impression that there was a three year waiting period for hiring Inspector Generals. Or does that waiting period apply only to the legislature?/snark

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 10:08 am
Ms. Haling, you have a call from Edgar County. Do you want me to transfer it to you or should I take a message?

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 10:50 am
==- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 10:08 am:

I was under the impression that there was a three year waiting period for hiring Inspector Generals. Or does that waiting period apply only to the legislature?/snark==

Inspector General for the Governor’s agencies is a job that professionals actually want. What lawyer in their right mind would want to be the political police for the general assembly?

Comment by brooker Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 11:27 am
I hope that this new OEIG will take the cases more seriously. The last one found that the NIU President mismanaged over a million dollars in state money. The recommended penalty was…wait for it … more training. The guy hired friends, routed bonds improperly, and misused travel for his wife. The bonds didn’t even get explored and he got more ethics training. The University spent over $400,000 to bury the report and the guy got more training. The publicity forced him out of his job - and the guy got $600,000 dollars more - and ethics training.

Comment by Mike Haji-Sheikh Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 12:32 pm
==- Mike Haji-Sheikh - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 12:32 pm:

I hope that this new OEIG will take the cases more seriously. The last one found that the NIU President mismanaged over a million dollars in state money. The recommended penalty was…wait for it … more training. The guy hired friends, routed bonds improperly, and misused travel for his wife. The bonds didn’t even get explored and he got more ethics training. The University spent over $400,000 to bury the report and the guy got more training. The publicity forced him out of his job - and the guy got $600,000 dollars more - and ethics training.==

The OEIG investigates and makes a recommendation, but it’s up to the Board of Trustees to punish and handle the situation. The blame for that situation should be directed to the Board, not the OEIG.

Comment by brooker Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 4:02 pm