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Health & Fitness

Tweets, Twits & Tax Dollars: Joe Birkett for Illinois, Proven Leader? Proven Corruption Buster?

Behind closed doors while Joe Birkett was testifying on public corruption before the Illinois Reform Commission

 

Originally posted on April 9, 2013 at CountyLeaks

While DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett was serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the Illinois Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, he steered contracts to his political consultants. Birkett now sits on the bench of the Second District Illinois Appellate Court, yet questions remain as to who exactly was the tax-paid client -- Club ILSAAP or Birkett?

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Four years ago today, the topic in Illinois was ethics.

Top public leaders from the state gathered in Chicago to give testimony before the Illinois Reform Commission, established by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in his "first official act to restore integrity and examine ethics rules and practices in state government". The impeachment of former Governor Rod Blagojevich, following his December 2008 arrest on charges of conspiracy and fraud, prompted action.

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Calling for effective enforcement of anti-corruption laws were Quinn himself, Illinois Attorney General Lisa MadiganCook County State's Attorney's Chief of Special Prosecutions Bureau Jack BlakeyIllinois Executive Inspector General James WrightIllinois Inspector General Jim Burnsbest-selling author and Chicago attorney Scott Turow, and DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett, who was later appointed to serve on the bench of the Second District Illinois Appellate Court in Elgin.

Birkett spoke to the Commissioners of the challenges in fighting public corruption, proposed amendments to the official misconduct statute, suggested remedies, and discussed the need for enforcement tools. He quoted Albany Law School Professor Michael J. Hutter, "Unfortunately, our review of public corruption convictions in the states indicates that there is apparently little correlation between strong laws and integrity -- if a public official wants to violate his or her trust, the laws don't stand in the way."

Also in the room that morning was...

Read the rest of the story at CountyLeaks

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