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Illinois State Government Misconduct Report Released
OEIG Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Report Now Available Online

CHICAGO – Executive Inspector General James A. Wright Tuesday announced the release of the Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Report of the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor ("OEIG"). This landmark 59-page report reflects the investigation and ethics training activities conducted by the OEIG between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006.

The report is available to the public only by download. A copy of this report can be obtained from the OEIG web site: http://inspectorgeneral.il.gov.

During FY ’06, the OEIG received 1,278 complaints and completed 424 investigations. Of these, 64 complaints were found to have merit and 172 were unfounded. The balance of the investigations resulted in the complaints being declined or closed, typically for lack of jurisdiction, or being referred to a state or federal agency for further action. The OEIG Hotline received 2,920 completed calls in Fiscal Year 2006. In comparison, for FY 2005: 1,134 complaints; 406 completed investigations; 98 Unfounded cases; 107 Founded complaints; and 3,165 completed Hotline calls.

"We know that the majority of people working in and with state government conduct themselves with honesty and integrity. Unfortunately, a minority of individuals conduct themselves with an erroneous sense of entitlement and do not feel obliged to act in an ethical or legal manner. Rather, they oppose any reform effort that demands accountability for their actions," said Wright.

"I believe that the public will for the first time in Illinois history, get a glimpse of the types and quantities of misconduct complaints made against State agencies, officials, employees, and those doing business with them," he said. "This report is intended also to provide the public with a better understanding of the operation of the OEIG."

"Under current statutory restrictions, the OEIG cannot disclose information from its investigatory files and reports," Wright said. "However, this Office supports the fullest measure of transparency for its final investigation reports in founded cases, and believes the best method of achieving this is through legislative changes that will make these reports readily available through the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, while still protecting the identities of complainants."

Meanwhile, Wright said, the law does not bar any and all discussion into the extent and nature of the wrongful conduct investigated by the OEIG. This report is intended to inform the citizens of Illinois about the contemporary ethical environment within state government.

Established by Executive Order in January 2003, and promulgated under Article 20 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430, et seq.) in December 2003, the OEIG is an independent, non-partisan State agency dedicated to ensuring accountability in the operation of State government. Its mission is to receive and fairly investigate, as appropriate, complaints of fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct by employees of State agencies under its jurisdiction and those doing business with those agencies.

From the beginning, and throughout its life, each complaint is constantly re-evaluated for evidence of criminality, prohibited political activity, value greater than $10,000, involvement of senior management or administration, and evidence of a significant break in agency internal controls, among other "factors in aggravation." Allegations of serious procurement violations, hiring improprieties and "pay-for-play" schemes receive prompt attention.

Misconduct complaints can be made to the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor by calling, 1-866-814-1113 (TTY 1-800-524-8794 or 1-312-814-1872), or by fax, 1-312-814-5479. Complaint forms can be obtained at the OEIG web site: http://inspectorgeneral.il.gov/complaint.htm. By law, the OEIG cannot accept anonymous complaints, but will uphold the confidentiality of complainants’ identities to the fullest extent permitted by law.