Bill Text: IL HJR0035 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Reappoints the Honorable Michael P. McCuskey as Legislative Inspector General for a term that begins July 1, 2023 and ends June 30, 2028.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-11 - Adopted Both Houses [HJR0035 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HJR0035-Introduced.html

---

HJ0035 LRB103 32241 JDS 61457 r
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Subsection (b) of Section 25-10 of the State
Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430/25-10) requires
the Legislative Ethics Commission to diligently search for
qualified candidates for the Legislative Inspector General
position and to make recommendations to the General Assembly,
which shall appoint a Legislative Inspector General by joint
resolution; and
WHEREAS, Subsection (b) of Section 25-10 further states
that the Legislative Inspector General shall be selected
solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability and
sets forth the necessary educational and employment criteria;
and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Michael P. McCuskey was appointed
to serve as Legislative Inspector General on February 23, 2022
to complete a 5-year term that expires on June 30, 2023 and has
communicated to the Legislative Ethics Commission his
willingness to be reappointed to serve as Legislative
Inspector General for a 5-year term that begins on July 1, 2023
and ends on June 30, 2028; and
WHEREAS, At its last meeting, the Legislative Ethics
Commission unanimously voted to recommend that the General

HJ0035 - 2 - LRB103 32241 JDS 61457 r
Assembly retain Judge McCuskey as Legislative Inspector
General; and
WHEREAS, Judge 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 continue serving as the 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

HJ0035 - 3 - LRB103 32241 JDS 61457 r
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 to which he was subsequently elected
by voters 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

HJ0035 - 4 - LRB103 32241 JDS 61457 r
into the personal and professional motivations of persons
acting in the public realm; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we reappoint 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
ensuring that his sterling character and dedication to
government service 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 reappointment of Legislative Inspector General 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 Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President of the Senate, and the
filing of this joint resolution with the Secretary of State;
and be it further

HJ0035 - 5 - LRB103 32241 JDS 61457 r
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with subsection (b) of
Section 25-10 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act,
Legislative Inspector General McCuskey's next term as
Legislative Inspector General shall commence upon July 1, 2023
and continue through June 30, 2028; and be it further