House GOP again calls for ethics reforms after legislative watchdog
resigns
[September 10, 2026]
By Sean Reed | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Following confirmation that the state’s top ethics
watchdog overseeing lawmakers in Springfield filed to resign, GOP state
lawmakers in the House are again calling for strong reforms to
legislative ethics standards and rules.
Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey confirmed Tuesday he
filed his resignation late last month, leaving the role vacant beginning
Sept. 30.
During a press conference Wednesday, Republican lawmakers pointed to
multiple bills introduced by their caucus which they said are
non-partisan.
One of those bills, introduced in January, would allow the next LIG to
issue subpoenas during investigations without the approval of the LEC.
Minority Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, said the
legislation would allow the next LIG to properly conduct independent
investigations.
“This looks like 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,”
Windhorst said.
McCuskey, while investigating claims of sexual harassment against former
Rep. Harry Benton, was accused of breaking confidentiality of one female
lobbyist complainant, who also said he failed to take any notes or
recordings of their interviews, leading to inaccuracies in the
investigator’s findings, according to a letter she sent to the LEC.
Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Peoria, pointed to more legislation he would like
the majority party to take into consideration, which he said is
especially pertinent to ongoing federal proceedings relating to fraud
charges against Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, and her husband.
[to top of second column]
|
Illinois state Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis. Photo: Greg
Bishop / The Center Square
“House Republicans have multiple ethics bills ready to help clean up
our state government and hold officials accountable. The majority
party claims they can govern. Well, let's see it,” Weaver said. “HB
1554 prohibits public officials from using campaign funds to pay for
criminal defense and HB 1727 would prevent public officials charged
or indicted on a felony from collecting pension benefits.”
Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-St. Charles, also referenced his proposed state
constitutional amendment to allow recall votes of state elected
officials, placing accountability in the hands of voters instead of
official determinations of wrongdoing.
When asked if there should be further investigation into McCuskey’s
time as LIG, Ugaste said no thorough investigation is likely needed.
“I don't know that I need an investigation other than to look
carefully at what went wrong,” Ugaste said. “We have to empower that
office, we have to pass ethics reform, and if we really want to make
elected officials behave themselves, we'll pass this recall.”
The legislature is scheduled to return to Springfield for the
two-week fall veto session Nov. 17, when the lawmakers hope some of
their proposals will be heard.
Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office didn’t respond to The Center
Square’s request for comment on the Republican proposals or the
LIG’s resignation. |
