McLean County Times

Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Pontiac) is sharing his thoughts as the Illinois Senate recently confirmed Judge Michael McCuskey as the new legislative inspector general (LIG) in the state, filling a position that had been vacant since early January. 

In a release Feb. 18, Bennett commented on the decision, stating Legislative Ethics Commission (LEC) members did not regard McCuskey under the same level of review as prior LIG candidates.

“I am glad that this important office is no longer vacant and I wish Judge McCuskey much luck in his new position,” Bennett said in the release. “But the process for getting here was wrong. Once again the General Assembly has rushed  through an important action with little time for review or scrutiny.”

According to a report by the Senate Journal-Register, the LEC, composed of four Republicans and four Democrats, had not come to a consensus on an appropriate nominee to fill the vacancy. Democrats advanced Judge Michael McCuskey to fill that role Feb. 16, though the move was met with criticism from Republican members who claim McCuskey did not go through a search committee that included civilians to identify potential replacements.

Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) is among Republicans underscoring calls that the process should not have happened the way it did.

"People should be able to have confidence in their government, but for years Illinoisans have been given very little reason to," Barickman said in a statement. "The selection of a new LIG, who serves as the ethics watchdog for the Legislature, was an opportunity to show the public that times have changed for the better. Instead, the super majority party ignored the established process and any semblance of transparency, making it clear that they are more focused on business as usual."

Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) also issued a statement after McCuskey was selected for the role. 

"By bypassing the process outlined in law that calls for a citizen search committee to review, vet, investigate, and interview candidates for Legislative Inspector General, the Majority puts at risk the public's perception of impartiality of this very important office that investigates impropriety by members of the legislature,” McConchie said.