UPDATED: Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope Resigning
The Capitol Rotunda in Springfield.
Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope, the main watchdog of the General Assembly, is resigning. In a strongly worded resignation letter, she says “true ethics reform is not a priority.”
From the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Petrella:
In a two-page resignation letter, Legislative Inspector General Carol Pope leveled criticisms echoing those of her predecessors, who also raised concerns about the office’s limited powers and the ability of lawmakers to shield colleagues from public scrutiny. She resigns amid an ongoing federal corruption investigation that has led to charges against a slew of former lawmakers.
Pope, a former judge and Menard County state’s attorney whose term runs through June 2023, blasted an ethics overhaul measure that was passed by lawmakers this spring and is sitting on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk. The bill, which she cited as a driving force behind her departure, has been widely criticized by good-government groups for failing to go far enough to address the state’s pervasive public corruption, and Pritzker himself has said more work remains.
“I thought I might be able to make a difference working from the inside,” Pope wrote to members of the Legislative Ethics Commission, an eight-member panel that oversees her office. “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 has demonstrated true ethics reform is not a priority.”
The office “has no real power to effect change or shine a light on ethics violations,” she added.
Pope has offered to stay in the job until December 15 unless a replacement is named earlier. Pope has not returned a message from The Illinoize.
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UPDATE (6:32 P.M.):
We asked for a statement from House Speaker Chris Welch and were sent a response from Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park) and Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford), who sit on the Legislative Ethics Commission:
"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."
From Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods):
“Inspector Pope has proven to be a dedicated public servant representing the people of Illinois and their desire for a more ethical state government,” said Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). “ 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.”
From GOP Legislative Ethics Commission member Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy):
“One of the major issues our Caucus focused on fixing this session was government corruption. While it got off to a rocky start, we took a first step in rooting out the corruption that plagues this building. With that being said, we are not done. There is much more work to do,” Tracy said. “More than anything, we must help restore the people of Illinois’ faith in their government.”
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UPDATE (8:30 P.M.):
As expected, the Illinois Republican Party is attacking Democrats over the announcement. From ILGOP spokesman Joe Hackler:
The Illinois Democrat Crime ring has struck again, successfully eliminating another obstacle in their pursuit of power and state sanctioned grift. Carol Pope’s resignation is another sign that Democrat's feigned efforts at ethics reform this past session was nothing more than lip service. Illinois Democrats and the remaining Madigan Machine have made a career of using their power for personal gain and they have no desire to break up the system now. That should be clear to everyone.”
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UPDATE (9:42 P.M.):
From John Patterson, spokesman for Senate President Don Harmon:
“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.”
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