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Report: Sen. Sims “approached” by law enforcement

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Illinois

Illinois state Sen. Elgie Sims was approached in the spring by federal authorities investigating potential influence peddling involving a police body-camera manufacturer that hired the law firm where Sims works as a lobbyist, sources have told the Tribune.

Sims, 51, a Chicago Democrat who spearheaded the state’s massive criminal justice reform law passed last year and represents portions of the South Side and south suburbs, was contacted by the FBI in early May as the investigation intensified, according to two sources who have knowledge of the investigation but are not authorized to speak about it publicly.

Sims’ attorney told the Tribune the senator has done nothing wrong.

The ongoing probe involves Axon Enterprise Inc., an Arizona law-enforcement technology company that hired law firm Foley & Lardner LLP to lobby the legislature in Springfield and Chicago, according to the sources. Sims is an “of-counsel” attorney at Foley, specializing in government affairs and public policy.

There’s more, so go read the rest. This is about the recent legal requirement for police body cams in the SAFE-T Act, which has been a longterm goal of the entire Legislative Black Caucus.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:30 am

Comments

Based on the lawyer Sims retained- there is more to come out of this story

Comment by Sue Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:32 am
Rep. Sims (at the time I worked in the Capitol) was the kindest and most accessible pol in the entire building, and seemingly took an active interest in the burgeoning careers of all the young people fortunate enough to work in Springfield.

I hope his attorney is right.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:33 am
===Based on the lawyer Sims retained- there is more===

Or, when the feds call, hire the best.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:36 am
=== Based on…===

… your assumption.

“Watch what does happen”

This story will continue until it plays out. That’s how these roll. We’ll see.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:37 am
Never trust a coincidence.

Comment by Friday and Gannon Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:43 am
If a company pays you to support their interests, and those interests generically and undeniably align with your own beliefs… is that wrong? The law doesn’t mandate a specific manufacturer.
May not be smart… but is it a crime?

Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:44 am
The law and ethics reforms are two different ballgames and don’t count on Springfield to address the latter anytime soon

Speaker Welch admits no one trusts Springfield and yet there is no effort made to change

https://www.wbez.org/stories/no-more-ethics-reforms-in-springfield-planned/185b2dac-6df7-41ce-a6e8-9d19bc0d666e

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:48 am
==If a company pays you to support their interests, and those interests generically and undeniably align with your own beliefs… is that wrong?==

Maybe, but another question is “Is it wrong to investigate to determine if it’s really just a coincidence that the company’s desires line up with the politician’s beliefs?”

Based on Sims’ politics in general, I’m inclined to think that it is “just a coincidence”. But I think we should make sure.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:50 am
all we know is that the Feds are looking and they called Sims and he hired an attorney. But that is enough fuel to add to a fire where some are angry about the legislation Sims touted, so it’s a political hit that can keep hitting. Add to the mix GPG Strategies and Michael Axelrod, who it appears is the son of David Axelrod, and you have a new potent meme the conservatives will use.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 10:01 am
One party is crazy and the other one is corrupt.

Comment by Chicagonk Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 10:02 am
Sure wish Tribbies had not “cut” comments from all the other biz interests lobby the policing reform issues. Shucks.

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 11:09 am
Watch what Foley does- the firm will not want any negative implications. It’s a mega firm and Sims contribution likely is next to zero. If he suddenly resigns or goes on a LOA then you know something is percolating- if not- there is likely no story here

Comment by Sue Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 11:30 am
Probably a lot of smoke than fire but lets see what the GOP does with this.

Comment by Shytown Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 12:13 pm
I wonder if the feds want to see if anyone gets scared by this news and talks. I read the story, and it seemed light on facts indicating criminal activity.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 12:43 pm
- Arsenal - Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 9:50 am:

There has to be constitutional basis for an investigation. Do we know that John Lausch & company are actually meeting that?

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 1:16 pm
1 - should there be an investigation, and 2 - how did it leak to the press and end up on page 1?

Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Aug 8, 22 @ 1:19 pm