Ethics in the Office of the Attorney General
Executive Ethics Commission
The Executive Ethics Commission (EEC) was established in 2004 by the Ethics Act and is comprised of nine commissioners, appointed on a bipartisan basis by the five State Constitutional Officers and confirmed by the Illinois Senate. Five commissioners are appointed by the Governor. The Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer each appoint one commissioner.
The EEC has jurisdiction over the employees and officers of the Executive Branch of State Government, including the employees of the OAG. If you have any complaints regarding an Executive Inspector General or an employee of an OEIG, you can make your complaint directly to the EEC. The EEC, in conjunction with the Executive Inspectors General and the Attorney General, is responsible for overseeing and enforcing compliance with the Ethics Act. The General Assembly has its own Legislative Ethics Commission and Legislative Inspector General created by the Ethics Act.
EEC Responsibilities include (5 ILCS 430/20-15):
- Conducting administrative hearings;
- Imposing monetary fines on employees who violate the Ethics Act;
- Redacting and publishing founded OEIG reports;
- Preparing and publishing guides regarding the ethics laws;
- Promulgating rules regarding how EIGs conduct investigations;
- Making rulings and recommendations in disciplinary cases referred to the EEC; and
- Oversight of procurement by the Governor's agencies, boards, commissions, and State universities.
The EEC also receives reports of founded allegations and disciplinary recommendations from the Executive Inspectors General. After reviewing these reports, the EEC may request further investigation by an Executive Inspector General (“EIG”) or the OAG. The EEC decides whether founded reports should be made public. A founded report resulting in a three-day suspension or more must be published on the EEC's website unless there is a significant countervailing policy reason that prevents publication. The published reports are an invaluable tool in promoting transparency and deterring future employee misconduct. Once an OEIG investigation is complete, an EIG, through the Attorney General's Office, may file a complaint with the EEC to seek additional monetary penalties.
EEC Membership
Executive Director: Michelle Casey
401 S. Spring Street
515 William Stratton Building
Springfield, IL 62706
217-558-1393 Phone
217-558-1399 Fax
For FOIA requests: EEC.LegalStaff@ilag.gov
For all other questions: EEC.CMS@ilag.gov
EEC Membership
Teresa Bartels - Governor's Appointee
Cynthia Ervin - Governor's Appointee
Maria Kuzas - Secretary of State's Appointee
Amalia Rioja - Comptroller's Appointee
Walter Turner, III - Treasurer's Appointee
Patricia Yadgir - Governor's Appointee
Patty Schuh - Attorney General's Appointee
Allison Powers - Governor's Appointee