Recent scandals involving two members of the Illinois State House are renewing calls for reforms surrounding General Assembly members’ conduct. State Representative Carol Ammons, a Democrat from Urbana, was charged on July 7 with misusing campaign funds and scheming to receive financial kickbacks. Also this month, another representative from the same party, Harry Benton of Plainfield, resigned amid bipartisan pressure to do so. He had been accused of sexual harassment and other unethical conduct. Politicians and insiders are pointing to staffing/supervisory arrangements involving legislators, as well as transparency levels and investigation processes.
Dr. Kent Redfield is a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois-Springfield. He says that for staffers of General Assembly members, it is often unclear to whom they can address conduct-related matters.
Dr. Redfield adds that investigations often happen behind closed doors in the interest of privacy, but this circumstance can raise questions about their thoroughness.
More information on the Illinois General Assembly is available at www.ilga.gov.
Dr. Kent Redfield appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.
