LWVIL Supports Independent Legislative Inspector General
2/23/24
The League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) strongly supports a truly independent Legislative Inspector General (LIG) in the state of Illinois, and to accomplish that, existing law must be amended.
We were pleased to see the proposed language in HB2892 and HB3582 in the 103rd General Assembly, and we urge both parties to work together on a consolidated bill that both parties can support in the 2024 Spring Session.
The League supports the following basic elements in a full statute:
An independent reporting structure: The LIG should not report directly or solely to the legislature or other political figures that may be the subject of a potential investigation.
Protection of the budget: A funding floor protects an LIG from possible reprisals for pursuing unpopular investigations.
Protection of the LIG: The LIG can only be removed for cause.
Cooperation agreement: A stipulation that agencies or officials comply with requests, submit documents when asked and don’t interfere with investigations. The ability to issue and enforce subpoenas and publish findings are critically important.
Public check and balance: Placing members of the public on the Legislative Ethics Commission, which currently is composed only of legislators, would make the process more transparent and accountable to the public.
LWVIL believes that passing this reform in both chambers is essential to restoring public faith in Illinois state government.