Illinois Ethics Matters

              Illinois Ethics Matters
February 15, 2012 www.inspectorgeneral.illinois.gov
Honesty, Integrity, Service
A newsletter from the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies
of the Illinois Governor
Office of
Executive Inspector General
Ricardo Meza
Executive
Inspector General
Cole S. Kain
Chief of Staff & General Counsel
Erin K. Bonales
Deputy Inspector General & Chief of Chicago Division
Neil P. Olson
Deputy Inspector General & Chief of Springfield Division
James J. Bonk
Chief of Regional Transit Board Investigative Division
Rochelle Hardy
Chief Financial & Compliance Officer
David Keahl
Director of Ethics Training & Compliance
Wendy Washington
Director of Human Resources
Chicago Office:
32 W. Randolph Street
Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-5600
Springfield Office:
607 E. Adams Street
14th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 558-5600
Hotline:
Phone: (866) 814-1113
TTY:
(888) 261-2734
Recent News
The OEIG is pleased to announce the appointment of three new employees:
 Mary (Betsey) Madden will serve as deputy inspector general in Chicago where her responsibilities will include supervising 4 assistant inspectors general and 11 investigators. Betsey most recently served as an assistant attorney general for the Illinois Attorney General.
 Jamiela Kassem will serve as deputy inspector general in Springfield where her responsibilities will include supervising 4 assistant inspectors general and 6 investigators. Jamiela most recently served as an assistant state’s attorney for the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.
 Tonya Neal-Brown will serve as administrative assistant in Springfield. Tonya most recently worked as a judicial clerk for Macon County.
On February 10, 2012, the Executive Ethics Commission released a redacted OEIG final report:
 In re: Gladys Muniz, 10-0167, involved a former DHS caseworker who failed to comply with DHS procedures when issuing LINK benefit cards. Ms. Muniz resigned during the investigation.
EEC Proposes Amended and New Rules Regarding Investigations, Hearing Processes, and Revolving Door
On February 10, 2012, the EEC released extensive proposed amendments to the Administrative Code related to, among other matters, investigations conducted by executive inspectors general. The proposed rules are expected to be published in the Illinois Register as early as February 24, 2012, after which there will be a 45-day comment period.
Certain proposed changes conform EEC rules with 2009 amendments to the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act regarding executive inspectors general. Specifically, rule changes:
 eliminate the requirement that a complainant’s name be on complaint forms, consistent with state law that now allows complainants to remain anonymous; and
 permit executive inspectors general to self-initiate investigations, consistent with state law allowing same.
In addition, a proposed rule establishes mitigating and aggravating factors the EEC will consider when determining the level of fine to impose against violators of the Ethics Act. The proposed rules also expand existing regulations relating to public employees subject to the revolving door provisions of the Ethics Act; notably:
 departing employees required to file a notice with an EIG (“C” list employee) would be subject to a fine if they fail to do so; and
 “H” list employees would be required to notify an EIG prior to accepting non-state employment.
Finally, the proposed rules establish hearing processes for the removal/discipline of chief procurement officers among others. OEIG comments on these rules will be posted on our website soon.
Neil P. Olson & Jessica Reese
Deputy Inspector General & Chief of Springfield Division/ Legislative Assistant Inspector General
State Employee Rights Related to OEIG Investigation Interviews
Under state law, prior to OEIG interviews, certain public employees are entitled to be advised of their administrative rights. Thus, in a majority of circumstances, investigators will inform employees they have a right to:
 have an uninvolved representative present during the interview; and
 be informed that any statements made during the course of the administrative interview cannot be used against them in subsequent criminal proceedings.
The above rights are provided in writing. Employees will be asked to sign a form acknowledging their rights.
If interested, employees may request to view a copy of the OEIG’s administrative rights form prior to an interview.
Betsey Madden &
Jamiela Kassem
Deputy Inspectors General Chicago and Springfield
Calendar of Events: March 6, 2012: Deputy Inspectors General Erin Bonales and Neil Olson will address the Executive Ethics Commission’s annual ethics officers’ conference; March 14-15, 2012: all OEIG training, Urbana, IL; March 27-30, 2012: Investigator Edward Escamilla and Assistant Inspectors General Fallon Opperman and Tiffany Stedman will attend Public Corruption Training, Dallas, Tx.