Legislative Inspector General out after complaints of investigation
practices
[September 09, 2026]
By Sean Reed | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The position of Legislative Inspector General will
be vacant, according to an announcement made Tuesday.
In the announcement, it appeared former judge Michael McCuskey wouldn’t
serve the remainder of his appointed term in the role.
According to a news release from the Legislative Ethics Commission, a
bipartisan board of lawmakers from both statehouse chambers, it was
informed Aug. 31 of an upcoming vacancy in the role, which it now seeks
to fill.
“Rep. Jeff Keicher, Chair of the Legislative Ethics Commission, and all
members of the Commission want to assure the public of the Commission’s
commitment to filling the position in a timely manner,” read the LEC
release.
The announcement didn’t detail whether the 78-year-old McCuskey, who has
faced backlash over his handling of multiple ethics complaints in recent
weeks, voluntarily stepped down from the role.
An unnamed lobbyist that accused former state Rep. Harry Benton
complained in a letter to the LEC that McCuskey violated her right to
anonymity during his investigation.
State Rep. Mary Beth Canty said in a post on X that McCuskey "lacks the
temperament and approach" to be LIG, and she called on him to either
resign or for the LEC to remove him.
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The Springfield office space of the Illinois Legislative Ethics
Commission and Legislative Inspector General. Photo: Greg Bishop /
The Center Square
McCuskey also faced claims that he didn't take seriously the
complaints of a former staffer of state Rep. Amy Murri Briel,
D-Ottawa, after the staffer went public with allegations against the
lawmaker that he previously deemed "unfounded."
The Center Square inquired with the LIG’s office about the
announcement of the vacancy, to which staff wouldn’t provide
comment.
According to the LEC’s announcement of the vacancy, the search for
applicants to serve as the next LIG will be open until Oct. 31.
The person chosen to become the next LIG will serve the remainder of
McCuskey’s term.
“The term for this appointed position will expire on June 30, 2028,
but may be reappointed to one or more subsequent terms,” according
to the announcement.
“The statement of the LEC is all that we are saying at this time,”
Keicher said in response to an inquiry to the commission regarding
McCuskey’s departure. |
