What does the OLIG do?

OLIG? What's that?

The Illinois Office of the Legislator Inspector General.

   "On December 9, 2003, the Governor signed the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act which officially created the Office of the Legislative Inspector General (OLIG). The OLIG receives and investigates complaints of violations of any law, rule or regulation or abuse of authority or other forms of misconduct by members of the General Assembly and all state employees whose ultimate jurisdictional authority is a legislative leader, the Senate Operations Commission or the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services. The OLIG recognizes that the vast majority of state employees and officials are hardworking and honest individuals. However, when evidence of actual or apparent impropriety exists in state government, it must be effectively and objectively addressed either administratively or through the court system. Our goal is to heighten the trust of the citizens of Illinois in the functions of their state government.


   "The Office of the Legislative Inspector General is obligated to maintain the confidentiality of individuals reporting any possible or alleged misconduct. Our statutory authority is found in the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. 5 ILCS 430/1 et seq. (West Supp. 2003)."

Back in 2005 it was really hard to uncover this office. I was getting the run-around from State offices and was being directed, re-directed and mis-directed, as I tried to get one matter corrected. After getting nowhere with the offices of the Attorney General and Executive Inspector General, someone asked me if I had contacted the Legislative Inspector General. I did, and two days later the problem was corrected.

I'm about to ask the OLIG for help again. I'm not getting clear answers from Rep. Elaine Nekritz or Speaker Mike Madigan about just who was responsible for the staff demand for photo ID on February 22 in order to enter the conference room for the open-to-the-public Judiciary Committee hearing on gun control.

On Wednesday a staffer in Rep. Nekritz pointed the finger at Madigan. That was my suspicion, because Speaker Madigan's State office in the Loop "guards" the 6th floor conference room in that State building. However, Rep. Nekritz' office thumbed its nose at a letter dated March 8 from my attorney.

An August 27, 2011, article in the Chicago Tribune carried these two sentences:

"In the 44 years since the law was enacted, it has proven to be 'weak medicine indeed,' (Illinois Legislative Inspector (LIG) General Thomas) Homer wrote, because violations 'result in no remedial actions whatsoever.'

"Or as Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, told the Tribune's Ray Long: The worst that can happen is 'somebody's going to make an ugly face at you'."

LIG Homer had been very helpful in 2005. I wonder if the OLIG has any clout with Madigan...