Illinois Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey is stepping down as the General Assembly’s top ethics watchdog, with the Legislative Ethics Commission accepting his resignation effective September 30. The Commission plans to appoint an acting inspector general beginning October 1 while it searches for a permanent replacement.
The Legislative Inspector General serves as an independent watchdog over members of the General Assembly and certain legislative employees, with authority to investigate allegations involving ethics violations, misconduct, fraud, waste, abuse and other wrongdoing connected to public duties or the use of state office and resources. State law allows the Legislative Ethics Commission to appoint an acting LIG following a vacancy while the process of selecting a permanent replacement moves forward.
The transition comes amid increased scrutiny of legislative ethics following several separate controversies involving current and former House Democrats, including the Legislative Inspector General’s findings of sexual harassment against former State Representative Harry Benton, federal charges against State Representative Carol Ammons, and allegations against State Representative Amy “Murri” Briel.
The LIG has long played an important role in ensuring allegations of misconduct within the General Assembly are independently reviewed and addressed. With recent cases placing renewed attention on ethics and accountability at the Capitol, it is especially important that the office remains effective and that whoever serves as the state’s legislative watchdog is able to carry out those responsibilities thoroughly and independently.
The Legislative Ethics Commission has posted the permanent LIG position and set an October 31application deadline.
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