In the News

Lake Forester, April 2, 2009

Majority Caucus Whip and State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) passed Senate Bill 54 unanimously out of the Senate last week. The bill requires the Executive Inspector General to submit all investigative reports that dictate the need for disciplinary action against state employees to the Executive Ethics Committee.

"I have been in office for 10 years," said Garrett. "Since day one I have been working for ethics reform in Illinois. This bill establishes a process for transparency when there has been proven misconduct by state employees."

Previously, the reports from the Executive Inspector General were privatized.

Senate Bill 54 provides a 30-day window for the State employee in violation to defend himself or herself. If the defense made is not convincing to the Executive Ethics Committee, the report made by the Executive Inspector General will be released for public consumption. The purpose of publicizing these reports is to prevent ongoing corruption in the Illinois legislative system.

"Taxpayers deserve to be made aware of the infractions being made by State employees," said Garrett.