SR0858 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0858 LRB098 19444 GRL 54607 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Corrections is integral to the public safety of the citizens of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Corrections' parole division and Intelligence Unit are crucial in monitoring and collecting data and information on potential criminal activity, including activity regarding organized crime and gang activity; and

WHEREAS, The integrity of all employees at the Department is necessary for the safety of the public, Correctional employees, and inmates; and

WHEREAS, An investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times found that an employee was assigned to the Department's Intelligence Unit and subsequently as advisor to the Chief of Parole; that employee was issued a handgun during his time at the Intelligence Unit; and

WHEREAS, The investigation found that the Department signed off on these actions despite the employee's two dozen previous arrests on charges including illegal gun possession, arson, attempted robbery, and assault; the employee also admitted to being a former gang member; and

WHEREAS, The employee had been fired from the Department of Children and Family Services due to an investigation by the Department's Inspector General finding that he wrote hundreds of lewd emails while at work; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Corrections must follow statute, regulations, and administrative rules in its hiring process; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Auditor General is directed to conduct an investigatory compliance audit of the hiring process at the Illinois Department of Corrections; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the audit include, but not be limited to, the following determinations:

(1) a compilation of the relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies regarding the hiring process at the Department;

(2) a review of the process to clear potential employees for specific responsibilities and privileges; and

(3) an audit to determine the fidelity to which these processes are followed and whether any statutes, regulations, or directives were violated in the issuance of a handgun to a felon; and be it further

RESOLVED, That any State agency that may have information relevant to this audit cooperate fully and promptly with the Auditor General's Office in the conducting of its audit; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General commence this audit as soon as possible and report his or her findings and recommendations upon completion in accordance with the provisions of Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act.