SJ0048 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0048 LRB102 26307 JDS 36324 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On July 14, 2021, Legislative Inspector General Carol M. Pope announced her intent to resign her office; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, a search committee consisting of four former judges or prosecutors was appointed by the legislative leaders to conduct a search for qualified candidates to replace the Legislative Inspector General and made recommendations to the Legislative Ethics Commission; and

WHEREAS, After multiple attempts, the Legislative Ethics Commission has been unable to agree on recommending a candidate or candidates to the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Carol M. Pope resigned from her position as Legislative Inspector General effective at the end of January 31, 2022, creating a vacancy in the office; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly is responsible for the appointment of a Legislative Inspector General, whom shall be selected solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability; and

WHEREAS, The Honorable Michael P. McCuskey is an individual of high integrity and demonstrated ability who, as a former public defender and judge, has led an exemplary career of public service that more than qualifies him to serve as the next Legislative Inspector General; and

WHEREAS, A native of Peoria, Judge McCuskey was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1975 and has dedicated his professional life to work that has demonstrated his commitment to integrity, professionalism, and ethics; and

WHEREAS, After serving for over a decade as the chief public defender in Marshall County, Judge McCuskey was elected in 1988 as an Illinois circuit court judge for the Tenth Judicial Circuit; and

WHEREAS, Judge McCuskey was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court for the Third Judicial District in 1990, where he served until 1998; and

WHEREAS, Judge McCuskey was nominated for the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by a Republican-controlled United States Senate in 1998, serving as chief judge of the district from 2004 to 2012; and

WHEREAS, Upon retirement from the federal bench in 2014, Judge McCuskey was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve again as a State circuit court judge for the Tenth Judicial District, a post that voters subsequently elected him to in 2016; and

WHEREAS, Judge McCuskey retired from the court in 2020; and

WHEREAS, Judge McCuskey served on the Illinois Supreme Court's Commission on Professionalism for nearly 15 years, first as a commissioner and then as an advisor until he retired; and

WHEREAS, Judge McCuskey currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Judges Association and formerly served as Chairman of the Illinois State University Board of Trustees; and

WHEREAS, Judge McCuskey's extensive experience, appointments, and professional activities overwhelmingly qualify him for the position of Legislative Inspector General, an office that necessitates both keen intellect and insight into the personal and professional motivations of persons acting in the public realm; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we appoint the Honorable Michael P. McCuskey as Legislative Inspector General in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 25-10 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, endorsing him wholeheartedly as surpassing all statutory requirements and in full confidence that his character and integrity will enhance the office of Legislative Inspector General and benefit the administration of the ethical foundation on which Illinois legislators and legislative employees operate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That, in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 25-10 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the appointment of Judge McCuskey takes effect upon the adoption of this joint resolution by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly, the certification of this joint resolution by the President of the Senate and by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the filing of this joint resolution with the Secretary of State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 25-10 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the term of Legislative Inspector General McCuskey shall run through June 30, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Legislative Inspector General McCuskey shall serve in a contractual capacity; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Legislative Inspector General McCuskey shall be compensated at the rate of $275.00 per hour with a maximum compensation not to exceed $200,000 per fiscal year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be delivered to the Honorable Michael P. McCuskey and the Legislative Ethics Commission.