CORRUPTION/ETHICS
Legislative Inspector General Resigns; Legislative Ethics Commission Will Appoint Acting LIG
In a bombshell move last week, Illinois Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey resigned from office. The resignation followed a report that the Legislative Ethics Commission had posted his job as vacant and had begun the search process for a successor.
McCuskey’s resignation followed criticism of his investigation into serious sexual harassment allegations made against former State Rep. Harry Benton. Several victims stated their objections to how they were treated by LIG McCuskey during his investigative interviews. An unnamed female lobbyist sent a letter to the four legislative leaders at the end of July claiming McCuskey had “violated the confidence of other victims and me, broke standard investigative norms, and made inappropriate comments” to her.
On Thursday, the Legislative Ethics Commission issued the following press release:
After receiving the resignation letter from the current Legislative Inspector General (LIG), the members of the Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) have agreed to accept the resignation effective September 30, 2026. As previously stated when announcing the impending vacancy of the LIG, Rep. Jeff Keicher, Chair of the LEC, and all members of the Commission want to assure the public of the Commission’s commitment to filling the position in a timely manner.
Under 5 ILCS 430/25-15 (11) and 5 ILCS 430/25-10 (b-5), the LEC is empowered to appoint an Acting LIG until a permanent replacement can be confirmed by the whole Illinois General Assembly. To ensure the important work of the Office continues, the LEC will appoint an Acting LIG effective October 1, 2026. The Acting LIG is empowered to perform the same duties as a permanent LIG, and, if necessary, may serve until the current term ends on June 30, 2028. The LEC considers the LIG to be a vital position necessary to ensure the integrity of the legislature and the citizens’ trust in the functions of the legislative branch and seeks to fill the position permanently as expeditiously as possible.
Per 5 ILCS 430/25-10(b-5), the Commission has posted the LIG vacancy notice on its website on September 8, 2026. Additionally, the position will be posted on Indeed.com and the Legal Job Board Network, which includes the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and over 80 additional bar associations and career centers. The application deadline for the permanent position is October 31, 2026, but is subject to an extension if needed.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie released the following statement in response to the LEC posting an open position for the Illinois Legislative Inspector General:
“This is an opportunity to strengthen the office of the LIG, to fix the culture of harassment apparent within the House majority, and update Illinois’ ethics laws.
“As the internal watchdog of the legislative branch, the LIG must have the tools and authority to be effective. The legislature should move quickly to strengthen anti-corruption safeguards and increase the jurisdiction and authority of the office of the LIG. House Republicans have legislation ready that should be taken up during the veto session.
“Additionally, there must be a thorough search and transparent vetting process for the next inspector general, as outlined in state law.”
On Monday, the LEC announced the appointment of David E. Risley as Acting Legislative Inspector General, effective October 1, 2026. Risley, who is a Certified Inspector General, brings more than 30 years of experience in investigations and prosecutorial work as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney to the position. Risley will serve until a permanent replacement is approved by the whole General Assembly.
House Republicans Call for Reform, Stronger Ethics Laws in Wake of Latest Scandals
House Republican Representatives Patrick Windhorst, Travis Weaver and Dan Ugaste held a press conference last week to call for reforms to the Legislative Inspector General’s Office (LIG) and stronger ethics laws to stamp out corruption. In another galling episode of unethical behavior by public officials in Illinois, three members of the House Democratic caucus have come under intense scrutiny for misconduct allegations this summer, forcing one to resign, while another faces a federal investigation.
Windhorst says reforms are needed to strengthen the LIG’s power to conduct thorough and meaningful investigations and to ensure the office can operate as an independent watchdog.
“This summer, Illinoisans have learned details of multiple ethical scandals born of a persistent culture of corruption that continues to embarrass this state,” said Windhorst, who serves as House Republican Floor Leader as well as House Republican Spokesperson and ranking member on the House Ethics & Elections Committee. “After news reports broke that the Legislative Inspector General position will become vacant, this presents an opportunity to reset the office and restore public confidence.”
One such reform is House Bill 1382, legislation introduced by State Representative Ryan Spain, that would allow the Legislative Inspector General to use subpoena power when conducting investigations into public corruption.
“This legislation would substantially increase the ability of the LIG to conduct thorough investigations,” Windhorst said. “To me, this seems like common sense. An independent watchdog like the LIG should have the power to place individuals under subpoena to compel cooperation and testimony in any investigation.”
“Right now, the General Assembly has to approve any issuance of a subpoena by the LIG,” Windhorst said. “That is essentially the ‘fox guarding the henhouse.’ If the legislative inspector general cannot conduct investigations into unethical or even criminal behavior by members of the General Assembly because the General Assembly stops them from doing so, what we have is a system that allows those who would be investigated to shut down that investigation so they can stay out of trouble. That is wrong.”
“The people of Illinois deserve honesty and transparency from their state government officials, and this explosive summer of one controversy after another screams for real ethics reforms to be enacted,” stated Rep. Travis Weaver. “House Republicans have multiple ethics bills ready to help clean up our state government and hold officials accountable.”
These ethics reforms include HB 1554, which would prohibit public officials from using campaign funds to pay for criminal defense, and HB 1727, which would prevent public officials charged or indicted on a felony from collecting pension benefits.
“The culture of corruption was supposed to end with Speaker Madigan,” Rep. Weaver added. “Speaker Welch promised us a new day, but instead, corruption and scandals continue to run rampant.”
“The ethics scandals that have rocked Illinois government over the past few years should have been all that was needed for comprehensive reforms to be passed so it is clear corrupt behavior will not be tolerated,” said Rep. Dan Ugaste.
Rep. Ugaste has also emphasized the need for voters to have a more direct say when public officials betray the public trust. Under current laws, the options available to the public to take action into their own hands to remove unethical elected officials are essentially non-existent. Short of a felony, there are few options.
Ugaste has filed two pieces of legislation to make it easier for voters to initiate recalls and ensure any elected official in the state can be held accountable. Those pieces of legislation are House Bill 1304 and House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4.
“It’s time to end the lip service and excuses,” said Ugaste. “The people of Illinois have been forced to live with a constant stream of unethical, and sometimes illegal, behavior from their government officials for too long. It must end, and it can end now if Democrats work with Republicans to pass comprehensive ethics reform that restores public trust in government.”
Watch the press conference here.
PATRIOT DAY
Never Forget: the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attack
Last Friday marked twenty-five years since our nation experienced the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. It’s easy to recall the pain and devastation of that day, but we also remember the heroes, the helpers, and the resolve we all felt to never again let evil prevail.
We will never forget the innocent souls who lost their lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, and in the aftermath of that fateful day. We will never forget the first responders and everyday heroes who put others before themselves. We will never forget 9/11.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Traveling Office Hours – Elburn
]Please stop by and say hello at my next Traveling Office Hours event Thursday, October 15, at Elburn Village Hall. My District Office staff will be available to answer questions and help with any state issues you may have. The event will run from 10 a.m. to noon.